Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Sireford 1244 Ass

• S(c)hyreford 1311 Banco 1408 Midd

• Shirford 1420 Hen1 1470 Weld1

• Sherford 1473 ib

• Shereford(e) 1590 Hen2

• Easte Sharforde, West Sharforde, Sharfordes meades 1602 DCMDeed

• Sherford Bridge 1811 OS

Etymology

Sherford Bridge & Sherford Fm (SY 915934), Sireford 1244Ass (p), S (c )hyreford 1311 Banco, 1408Midd , Shirford 1420Hen 1, 1470Weld 1, Sherford 1473ib et passim , Shereford (e )1590Hen 2, Easte Sharforde , West Sharforde , Sharfordes meades 1602DCMDeed , Sherford Bridge 1811 OS, 'bright or clear ford', v. scīr 2 , ford ; the bridge, no doubt the site of the ford, is where the Blandford-Wareham road crosses Sherford River. It is in fact possible that the name of the river was originally Sher (< scīr 2 ) 'the bright one', and that the name Sherford means 'ford over the Sher ', cf. Shere Sr 248, Ekwall RN 362.