На этимонлайн, от британских "ученых этимологов" из Бычьего Брода (Оксфорда), очень мало знающих об истории английского языка, про шерифа - очередная ахинея (как и по большинству английских слов):[Spoiler (click to open)] sheriff (n.) Middle English shir-reve, "high crown official having various legal and administrative duties within a jurisdiction," from late Old English scirgerefa "representative of royal authority in a shire," from scir (see shire) + gerefa "chief, official, reeve" (see reeve). As a county official in American colonies, later U.S. states, it is attested from 1660s; sheriff's sale is recorded by 1798. Sheriff's tooth (late 14c.) was a common name for the annual tax levied to pay for the sheriff's victuals during court sessions. Related: Sheriffdom; sheriffalty; sheriffhood; sheriffship; sheriffwick. https://www.etymonline.com/word/sheriff