Recorded as Shore, Shores, Shoreman, Shoreson, Shearson, Sherson, Sherstone, Shireston, and others, this is an English surname. It is locational, topographical or sometimes occupational, and derives from the Olde English pre 7th century word 'scora' meaning a coast or river line. If locational it is from a place called Shore, of which examples exist in Devonshire and Lancashire, or if topographical it describes somebody who lived by the shore of a river or the coast. Such 'residential' surnames were among the earliest created, as both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages. The surname is first recorded in the early half of the 14th century, (see below), and examples of early recordings include Ann Shore who married Augustine Venables, at St. Dunstan in the East, Stepney, on June 7th 1568, Thomas Shearson, a christening witness at St Botolphs Bishopgate, on March 15th 1588, and William Shoreson, who was christened at St Pancras Hospital, on January 27th 1754, all in the city of London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William del Shore. This was dated 1332, in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire, during the reign of King Edward 111rd known as the "Father of the English Navy", 1327 - 1377. The earliest coat of arms associated with the name has the blazon of a silver shield, charged with a black chevron between three green holly leaves, and the crest of a stork proper holding a stone in its dexter claw.

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