Shurley was the son of Thomas Shurley of Isfield, Sussex, by his first wife Anne Pelham, daughter of Sir Nicholas Pelham of Laughton, East Sussex. And great-grandson of John Shurley (died 1527) who held the office of Cofferer to King Henry VIII.
He matriculated on entry to Hart Hall, Oxford on 22 June 1582, aged 14. He was a student of the Middle Temple in 1591. He succeeded his father in 1579 and was knighted on 11 May 1603.
In 1593 he was elected Member of Parliament for East Grinstead, in 1597 for Steyning and in 1604 for Bramber.
He was appointed High Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex for 1616-1617. Shurley died at Lewes at the age of about 62.
Useless Parliament]
In 1625, he was elected Member of Parliament for Sussex.
