Variations of the name

Schürch

 

    When the Swiss Schürchs arrived in colonial Pennsylvania, governed by the British, Germanic names were often altered by English speaking clerks and officials who were not familiar with the Swiss German names.  Also, some accommodation had to be made due to the use of the English alphabet, no u umlaut (ü) for example.  So Schürch at first became Scherch, Scherck, Scherich, and Scherg. In the Swiss dialect they spoke, the name was pronounced Scher-ich.  Thus the insertion of an extra vowel (i) that was not present in the original spelling.  Gradually over time,the name attained a more Anglicized spelling, becoming Sherk, Sherck, Sherick, Sherrick and Shirk.  So there are many spelling variations in North America for what is the same root surname Schürch. 

    In Alsace and Lorraine you have the variants Schirch, Schirck, and Schurck, but there is/was also Scherich, Schoerique, Scherig, and Churich.  The replacement of Sch with Ch is really quite remarkable! 

     Most of the Schirch families that came to America from Alsace in more recent times have kept the spelling Schirch, but they pronounce it Scherick!

Source:  Thomas A. Sherk, Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

 

Here is a list of known variations:

Scharack, Scharck, Schark, Schearck, Scherch, Scherck, Schereck, Scherck, Scherg, Scherge, Scherich, Scherick, Scherk, Scherrich, Schirch, Schiirch, Schirck, Schirg, Schirck, Schoerg, Schorch, Schorck, Schorf, Schorock, Schuerg, Schuerch, Schurch, Schurg, Schurgh, Shark, Sharg, Sharrick, Sharigh, Shark, Sharrach, Sharrick, Sherch, Sherreck, Sherck, Sherg, Sherich, Sherick, Sherig, Sherk, Sherock, Sherog, Sherrich, Sherrick, Sherrig, Sherrock, Shierk, Shirch, Shirg, Shirok, Shirrok, Shock, Shorg, Shork, Shurck, Shurich, Shurg, Shurk

  

Home Page