What's in a Name: Shiremanstown

The word "Shireman" is of English origin meaning "the official or steward of a shire, a sheriff." "Shire" or "Shires" also is of English origin and means "dweller in the shire or county; one who came from Shere (bright), in Surrey."

According to the Cumber/and County Key, Shiremanstown was a borough settled in 1813 in Cumberland County. Shiremanstown was incorporated in 1874 from Lower Allen and Hampden Townships while Cumberland County was formed on January 27, 1750 from part of Lancaster County.

Shiremanstown was named after Daniel Shireman, one of the town's first residents. He owned the land on which pan of the town is built. Shiremanstown is in the eastern pan of Cumberland County, five miles west of Harrisburg and twelve miles east of Carlisle. It is situated on the main road, Simpson's Ferry Road, that connects New Cumberland to Carlisle. Shiremanstown was considered to be located in the middle of a highly improved valley, which was near the Cumberland Valley Railroad.  

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Shiremanstown

Image of the marker sign for Shiremanstown.

Shiremanstown is a small community located twelve miles east of Carlisle and five miles west of Harrisburg. It derives its name from Daniel Shireman (1753-1810), one of the early land owners and settlers of the land that made up most of the town.