Sherif
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(n.) A member of an Arab princely family descended from Mohammed through his son-in-law Ali and daughter Fatima. The Grand Shereef is the governor of Mecca.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
(Arab. for noble) designates, among Moslems, a descendant of Mohammed through, his daughter Fatima and Ali. The title is inherited both from the maternal and paternal side; and thus the number of members of this aristocracy is very large. The men have the privilege of wearing the green turban, the women the green veil; and they mostly avail. themselves of this outward badge of nobilility (the prophet's color), while that of the other Moslems' turbans is white. Many of these sherifs founded dynasties in Africa; and the line which now rules in Fez and Morocco still boasts of that proud designation.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [3]
title of dignity among Mohammedans of either sex bestowed upon descendants of the Prophet through his daughters Fatima and Ali; as a distinguishing badge women wear a green veil, and men a green turban.
