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  <P align=center><B><FONT face="Times New Roman">UNITED
  STATES<BR></FONT></B><B><FONT face="Times New Roman">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
  COMMISSION <BR></FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>WASHINGTON, DC
  20549 <BR>________________ <BR><BR></FONT><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=5>FORM S-8 </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman">REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>
  <BR></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>________________ </FONT></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Southern First
  Bancshares, Inc.</FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2> <BR></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
  charter) </FONT></P>
  <TABLE style="LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="50%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>South Carolina</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="49%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>58-2459561</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="50%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(State or other jurisdiction of</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="49%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(I.R.S. Employer</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="50%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="49%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Identification
  Number)</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>100 Verdae Boulevard, Suite
  100<BR>Greenville, South Carolina 29606<BR>(800) 679-9000 <BR></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(</FONT><I><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
  of principal executive offices</FONT></I><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>)</FONT></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Southern First
  Bancshares, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(Full title of the
  plan)</FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>R. Arthur Seaver, Jr.<BR>Chief Executive
  Officer<BR>100 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 100<BR>Greenville, South Carolina
  29606<BR>(800) 679-9000<BR></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(</FONT><I><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Name, address, and
  telephone number of agent for service</FONT></I><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>) <BR>________________________________<BR></FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Copies to: </FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Neil E. Grayson,
  Esq.<BR>Benjamin A. Barnhill, Esq. <BR></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Nelson Mullins Riley &amp; Scarborough LLP<BR>104 South Main
  Street<BR>Poinsett Plaza, Suite 900<BR>Greenville, South Carolina
  29601<BR>Telephone: (864) 250-2235<BR>Fax: (864) 232-2925<BR></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>________________________________ </FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Indicate by check mark
  whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
  non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of
  &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer,&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148;
  in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>
  </FONT></P>
  <TABLE style="LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Large accelerated
        filer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">&#9744;</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Accelerated filer </FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">&#9746;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Non-accelerated
        filer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">&#9744; </FONT><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Smaller reporting
        company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">&#9744;</FONT></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  
  <DIV style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always"></DIV><BR>
  <TABLE style="LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD NOWRAP ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="24%" STYLE="border-top: #000000 2pt double; text-align: left"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Title of
        securities</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2pt double" noWrap align=center width="20%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Amount to
        be</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2pt double" noWrap align=center width="19%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Proposed</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2pt double" noWrap align=center width="20%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Proposed</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 2pt double" noWrap align=center width="16%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Amount
      of</FONT></B></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD NOWRAP WIDTH="24%" STYLE="text-align: left"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>to be registered</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="20%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Registered</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="19%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>maximum</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="20%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>maximum</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="16%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>registration fee</FONT></B></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="20%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="19%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>offering price</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="20%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>aggregate</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="16%"></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="20%"></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="19%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>per Share
        (2)</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="20%"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>offering
        price</FONT></B></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="16%"></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Common Stock, par value</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>450,000</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="19%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>$26.95</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>$12,127,500</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap style="text-align: center" width="16%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>$1,221.24</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>$0.01 per share (1)</FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="19%"></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="16%"></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <TABLE style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>
  
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(1)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="100%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>In addition to the
        shares set forth in the table, pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the
        Securities Act of 1933 (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), the number of shares
        registered includes an indeterminable number of shares of common stock
        issuable under the Southern First Bancshares, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive
        Plan as adjusted to include any additional shares of common stock that may
        become issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends,
        recapitalizations or similar transactions.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(2)</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="100%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Estimated solely for
        purposes of calculating the registration fee, pursuant to Rule 457(c) and
        (h)(1), on the basis of the average of the high and low reported sales
        price of the common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on August 15,
        2016.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>PART I</FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2> </FONT></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
  THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</FONT></B></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Item 1. Plan
  Information.*</FONT></B></P>
  
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual
  Information.* </FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2></FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The documents containing the
  information specified in this Part I will be sent or given by Southern First
  Bancshares, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148; or the &#147;Registrant&#148;) to participants in the Plan
  as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. Such documents need not
  be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) either as part
  of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements
  pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. These documents and the documents
  incorporated by reference into this registration statement under Item 3 of Part
  II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that
  meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act. Upon written or
  oral request, the Company will provide, without charge, the documents
  incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II of this registration statement.
  The Company will also provide, without charge, upon written or oral request,
  other documents required to be delivered to employees pursuant to Rule 428(b).
  Any such request should be directed to Michael D. Dowling at the Company&#146;s
  address at 100 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 100, Greenville, South Carolina 29606.
  The telephone number for Mr. Dowling is (800) 679-9000. </FONT></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>PART II</FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2> </FONT></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
  THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Item 3. Incorporation of
  Documents by Reference. </FONT></B></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2></FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>The following documents previously filed by the
  Registrant with the SEC are incorporated by reference in this registration
  statement:</FONT></P>
  <TABLE style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>
  
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(a)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="100%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Our Annual Report on
        Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on
        March 2, 2016;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(b)</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="100%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Our Quarterly Reports
        on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2016 and June 30,
        2016 filed with the SEC on May 2, 2016 and August 1, 2016,
        respectively;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
      </FONT></TD>
      <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(c)</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="100%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Our Current Reports
        on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 17, 2016, May 19, 2016, June
        27, 2016 and July 26; and</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(d)</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT size=2 face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="100%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>The description of
        the Company&#146;s common stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form
        S-3 (File No. 333-194020) filed with the SEC on February 19, 2014, and any
        amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purposes of updating such
        description.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P STYLE="text-indent: 15pt; text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>All documents subsequently filed with the
  SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), prior to the filing of a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement which indicates that all
  securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then
  remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
  registration statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such
  documents.</FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>2</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  
  <DIV style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always"></DIV><BR>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Any statement contained in
  a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
  registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes
  of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in this
  registration statement, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is
  or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement,
  modifies or supersedes such prior statement. Any statement contained in this
  registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the
  extent that a statement contained in a subsequently filed document that is or is
  deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement modifies
  or supersedes such prior statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
  shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
  of this registration statement.</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Item 4. Description of
  Securities. </FONT></B></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Not applicable. </FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Item 5. Interests of
  Named Experts and Counsel. </FONT></B></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Not applicable. </FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Item 6. Indemnification
  of Directors and Officers.</FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>
  </FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Under our bylaws, each of
  our directors has the right to be indemnified by us to the maximum extent
  permitted by law against (i) reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any
  threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative, investigative
  or arbitrative action, suit or proceeding seeking to hold the director liable by
  reason of his or her actions in such capacity and (ii) reasonable payments made
  by the director in satisfaction of any judgment, money decree, fine, penalty or
  settlement for which he or she became liable in such action, suit or proceeding.
  This right to indemnification includes the right to the advancement of
  reasonable expenses by us, to the maximum extent permitted by law. Under our
  bylaws, each of our officers who are not directors is entitled to the same
  indemnification rights, including the right to the advancement of reasonable
  expenses, which are provided to our directors.</FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Pursuant to the South
  Carolina Business Corporation Act (the &#147;Business Corporation Act&#148;), a South
  Carolina corporation has the power to indemnify its directors and officers
  provided that they act in good faith and reasonably believe that their conduct
  was lawful and in the corporate interest (or not opposed thereto), as set forth
  in the Business Corporation Act. Under the Business Corporation Act, unless
  limited by its articles of incorporation, a corporation must indemnify a
  director or officer who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the
  defense of any proceeding to which he or she was a party because he or she is or
  was a director or officer, against reasonable expenses incurred by the director
  or officer in connection with the proceeding. Our amended and restated articles
  of incorporation do not contain any such limitations. The Business Corporation
  Act permits a corporation to pay for or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance
  of final disposition of an action, suit or proceeding only upon (i) the
  director&#146;s certification that he or she acted in good faith and in the corporate
  interest (or not opposed thereto), (ii) the director furnishing a written
  undertaking to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she
  did not meet this standard of conduct, and (iii) a determination is made that
  the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude
  indemnification under the Business Corporation Act.</FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Under our amended and
  restated articles of incorporation, no director will be liable to us or our
  shareholders for monetary damages for breach of his or her fiduciary duty as a
  director, to the maximum extent permitted by law.</FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>The Business Corporation
  Act also empowers a corporation to provide insurance for directors and officers
  against liability arising out of their positions, even though the insurance
  coverage may be broader than the corporation&#146;s power to indemnify. We maintain
  directors and officers&#146; liability insurance for the benefit of our directors and
  officers. </FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Item 7.</FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2> </FONT><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Exemption from Registration Claimed</FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>. </FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Not applicable. </FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=monospace size=1></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>3</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  
  <DIV style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always"></DIV><BR>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Item 8. Exhibits.
  </FONT></B></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>The exhibits required to be
  filed as part of this registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index
  attached hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.</FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Item 9. Undertakings.
  </FONT></B></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" ><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(a) The undersigned
  registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(1) To file, during any
  period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to
  this registration statement: </FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="padding-left: 45pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(i) To include any
  prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; </FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="padding-left: 45pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(ii) To reflect in the
  prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
  registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)
  which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
  information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
  foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
  total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
  registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
  offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities
  Act if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
  a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
  &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement;
  and </FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="padding-left: 45pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(iii) To include any
  material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
  disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
  information in the registration statement; </FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>provided, however, that
  paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the information
  required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
  contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
  Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
  </FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(2) That, for the purpose
  of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
  amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
  shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(3) To remove from
  registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being
  registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. </FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(b) The undersigned
  registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
  under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant
  to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable,
  each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
  the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration
  statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
  shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>
  <P align=justify><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(c) Insofar as
  indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
  permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
  pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
  advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
  indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
  is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
  incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
  in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
  director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
  registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
  has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
  adjudication of such issue. </FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=monospace size=1></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>4</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  
  <DIV style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always"></DIV><BR>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>SIGNATURES
  </FONT></B></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Pursuant to the
  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has
  reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing
  on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its
  behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Greenville,
  State of South Carolina, as of August 18, 2016. </FONT></P>
  <TABLE style="LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%" colSpan=4><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.</FONT></B></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="50%" colSpan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>By:&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="33%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/Michael D. Dowling</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="15%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%" colSpan=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Name:&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Michael D. Dowling</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%" colSpan=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Title:</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="48%" colSpan=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Chief Financial
    Officer</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>5</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  
  <DIV style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always"></DIV><BR>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>POWER OF ATTORNEY
  </FONT></B></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE
  PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
  appoints Michael D. Dowling with full power of substitution, such person&#146;s true
  and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent for such person, with full power and
  authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all
  instruments which said attorney and agent determines may be necessary or
  advisable or required to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules or
  regulations or requirements of the Commission in connection with this
  registration statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power
  and authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the
  names of the undersigned officers and directors in the capacities indicated
  below to this registration statement, to any and all amendments, both
  pre-effective and post-effective, and supplements to this registration
  statement, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in
  conjunction with this registration statement or amendments or supplements
  thereof, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms that said
  attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of
  Attorney may be signed in several counterparts. </FONT></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" STYLE="text-indent: 15pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Pursuant to the
  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been
  signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
  indicated:</FONT></P>
  <TABLE style="LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/R. Arthur Seaver, Jr.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Director, Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>R.
        Arthur Seaver, Jr.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><I><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></I></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/ Michael D. Dowling</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Michael D. Dowling</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><I><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</FONT></I></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/Andrew B. Cajka, Jr.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Andrew B. Cajka, Jr.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/Mark A. Cothran</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Mark
        A. Cothran</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/Leighton M. Cubbage</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Leighton M. Cubbage</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/David G. Ellison</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>David G. Ellison</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/Anne S. Ellefson</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Anne
        S. Ellefson</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/Fred Gilmer, Jr.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Fred
        Gilmer, Jr.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/Tecumseh Hooper, Jr.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Tecumseh Hooper, Jr.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/Rudolph G. Johnston, III,
        M.D.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Director</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Rudolph G. Johnstone, III, M.D.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=5>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/James B. Orders, III</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Director, Chairman</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>August 16, 2016</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>James B. Orders, III</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="44%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="20%"></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>6</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  
  <DIV style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always"></DIV><BR>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>EXHIBIT INDEX
  </FONT></B></P>
  <TABLE style="LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt; text-align: justify; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=justify width="3%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Exhibit No.</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=justify width="1%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=justify width="5%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Description of Exhibit</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=justify width="91%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Articles of Incorporation, as amended
        (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company&#146;s Registration
        Statement on Form SB-2, File No. 333-83851).</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>4.2</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Articles of Amendment to the Articles of
        Incorporation establishing the terms of the Series T Preferred Stock
        (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company&#146;s Current Report
        on Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2009).</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>4.3</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Amended and Restated Bylaws dated March 18,
        2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Company&#146;s Form 10-K
        filed March 24, 2008).</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>4.4</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Form
        of certificate of common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
        of the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form SB-2, File No.
        333-83851).</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>4.5</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Southern First Bancshares, Inc. 2016 Equity
        Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company&#146;s
        Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on May 17, 2016).</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>4.6</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Form
        of Award Agreement for Stock Options.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>4.7</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Form of Award Agreement for Restricted
        Stock.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>5.1</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Opinion of Nelson Mullins Riley &amp;
        Scarborough LLP.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>23.1</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Consent of Nelson Mullins Riley &amp;
        Scarborough LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>23.2</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Consent of Elliott Davis Decosimo,
      LLC.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD></TR>
    <TR STYLE="background-color: White">
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="3%" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>24.1</FONT></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" NOWRAP ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="1%" STYLE="text-align: justify"></TD>
      <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="JUSTIFY" WIDTH="96%" COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Power of Attorney (included on the signature
        page hereto).</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>7</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  
  
  
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metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "southernfirst3121171_2-s8.htm", "description": "INITIAL REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED TO EMPLOYEES", "secsgml_size_bytes": 51429}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC", "cik": "0001090009", "assigned-sic": "6021", "irs-number": "582459561", "state-of-incorporation": "SC", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-213188", "film-number": "161840192"}, "business-address": {"street1": "100 VERDAE BOULEVARD", "street2": "SUITE 100", "city": "GREENVILLE", "state": "SC", "zip": "29607", "phone": "8646799000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "100 VERDAE BOULEVARD", "street2": "SUITE 100", "city": "GREENVILLE", "state": "SC", "zip": "29607"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "GREENVILLE FIRST BANCSHARES INC", "date-changed": "19990707"}}
text: UNITED
  STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
  COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, DC
  20549
  ________________
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  ________________
  Southern First
  Bancshares, Inc.
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its
  charter)
  South Carolina
  58-2459561
  (State or other jurisdiction of
  (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)
  Identification
  Number)
  100 Verdae Boulevard, Suite
  100
  Greenville, South Carolina 29606
  (800) 679-9000
  (
  Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
  of principal executive offices
  )
  Southern First
  Bancshares, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan
  (Full title of the
  plan)
  R. Arthur Seaver, Jr.
  Chief Executive
  Officer
  100 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 100
  Greenville, South Carolina
  29606
  (800) 679-9000
  (
  Name, address, and
  telephone number of agent for service
  )
  ________________________________
  Copies to:
  Neil E. Grayson,
  Esq.
  Benjamin A. Barnhill, Esq.
  Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
  104 South Main
  Street
  Poinsett Plaza, Suite 900
  Greenville, South Carolina
  29601
  Telephone: (864) 250-2235
  Fax: (864) 232-2925
  ________________________________
  Indicate by check mark
  whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
  non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of
  "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company"
  in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
  Large accelerated
        filer
  ☐
  Accelerated filer
  ☒
  Non-accelerated
        filer
  ☐
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting
        company
  ☐
  Title of
        securities
  Amount to
        be
  Proposed
  Proposed
  Amount
      of
  to be registered
  Registered
  maximum
  maximum
  registration fee
  offering price
  aggregate
  per Share
        (2)
  offering
        price
  Common Stock, par value
  450,000
  $26.95
  $12,127,500
  $1,221.24
  $0.01 per share (1)
  (1)
  In addition to the
        shares set forth in the table, pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the
        Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), the number of shares
        registered includes an indeterminable number of shares of common stock
        issuable under the Southern First Bancshares, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive
        Plan as adjusted to include any additional shares of common stock that may
        become issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends,
        recapitalizations or similar transactions.
  (2)
  Estimated solely for
        purposes of calculating the registration fee, pursuant to Rule 457(c) and
        (h)(1), on the basis of the average of the high and low reported sales
        price of the common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on August 15,
        2016.
  PART I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
  THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  Item 1. Plan
  Information.*
  Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual
  Information.*
  *       The documents containing the
  information specified in this Part I will be sent or given by Southern First
  Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company" or the "Registrant") to participants in the Plan
  as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. Such documents need not
  be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") either as part
  of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements
  pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. These documents and the documents
  incorporated by reference into this registration statement under Item 3 of Part
  II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that
  meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act. Upon written or
  oral request, the Company will provide, without charge, the documents
  incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II of this registration statement.
  The Company will also provide, without charge, upon written or oral request,
  other documents required to be delivered to employees pursuant to Rule 428(b).
  Any such request should be directed to Michael D. Dowling at the Company's
  address at 100 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 100, Greenville, South Carolina 29606.
  The telephone number for Mr. Dowling is (800) 679-9000.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
  THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3. Incorporation of
  Documents by Reference.
  The following documents previously filed by the
  Registrant with the SEC are incorporated by reference in this registration
  statement:
  (a)
  Our Annual Report on
        Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on
        March 2, 2016;
  (b)
  Our Quarterly Reports
        on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2016 and June 30,
        2016 filed with the SEC on May 2, 2016 and August 1, 2016,
        respectively;
  (c)
  Our Current Reports
        on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 17, 2016, May 19, 2016, June
        27, 2016 and July 26; and
  (d)
  The description of
        the Company's common stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form
        S-3 (File No. 333-194020) filed with the SEC on February 19, 2014, and any
        amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purposes of updating such
        description.
  All documents subsequently filed with the
  SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement which indicates that all
  securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then
  remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
  registration statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such
  documents.
  2
  Any statement contained in
  a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
  registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes
  of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in this
  registration statement, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is
  or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement,
  modifies or supersedes such prior statement. Any statement contained in this
  registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the
  extent that a statement contained in a subsequently filed document that is or is
  deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement modifies
  or supersedes such prior statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
  shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
  of this registration statement.
  Item 4. Description of
  Securities.
  Not applicable.
  Item 5. Interests of
  Named Experts and Counsel.
  Not applicable.
  Item 6. Indemnification
  of Directors and Officers.
  Under our bylaws, each of
  our directors has the right to be indemnified by us to the maximum extent
  permitted by law against (i) reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any
  threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative, investigative
  or arbitrative action, suit or proceeding seeking to hold the director liable by
  reason of his or her actions in such capacity and (ii) reasonable payments made
  by the director in satisfaction of any judgment, money decree, fine, penalty or
  settlement for which he or she became liable in such action, suit or proceeding.
  This right to indemnification includes the right to the advancement of
  reasonable expenses by us, to the maximum extent permitted by law. Under our
  bylaws, each of our officers who are not directors is entitled to the same
  indemnification rights, including the right to the advancement of reasonable
  expenses, which are provided to our directors.
  Pursuant to the South
  Carolina Business Corporation Act (the "Business Corporation Act"), a South
  Carolina corporation has the power to indemnify its directors and officers
  provided that they act in good faith and reasonably believe that their conduct
  was lawful and in the corporate interest (or not opposed thereto), as set forth
  in the Business Corporation Act. Under the Business Corporation Act, unless
  limited by its articles of incorporation, a corporation must indemnify a
  director or officer who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the
  defense of any proceeding to which he or she was a party because he or she is or
  was a director or officer, against reasonable expenses incurred by the director
  or officer in connection with the proceeding. Our amended and restated articles
  of incorporation do not contain any such limitations. The Business Corporation
  Act permits a corporation to pay for or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance
  of final disposition of an action, suit or proceeding only upon (i) the
  director's certification that he or she acted in good faith and in the corporate
  interest (or not opposed thereto), (ii) the director furnishing a written
  undertaking to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she
  did not meet this standard of conduct, and (iii) a determination is made that
  the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude
  indemnification under the Business Corporation Act.
  Under our amended and
  restated articles of incorporation, no director will be liable to us or our
  shareholders for monetary damages for breach of his or her fiduciary duty as a
  director, to the maximum extent permitted by law.
  The Business Corporation
  Act also empowers a corporation to provide insurance for directors and officers
  against liability arising out of their positions, even though the insurance
  coverage may be broader than the corporation's power to indemnify. We maintain
  directors and officers' liability insurance for the benefit of our directors and
  officers.
  Item 7.
  Exemption from Registration Claimed
  .
  Not applicable.
  3
  Item 8. Exhibits.
  The exhibits required to be
  filed as part of this registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index
  attached hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
  Item 9. Undertakings.
  (a) The undersigned
  registrant hereby undertakes:
  (1) To file, during any
  period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to
  this registration statement:
  (i) To include any
  prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
  (ii) To reflect in the
  prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
  registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)
  which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
  information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
  foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
  total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
  registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
  offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities
  Act if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
  a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
  "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
  and
  (iii) To include any
  material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
  disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
  information in the registration statement;
  provided, however, that
  paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the information
  required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
  contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
  Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
  (2) That, for the purpose
  of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
  amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
  shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  (3) To remove from
  registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being
  registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
  (b) The undersigned
  registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
  under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant
  to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable,
  each filing of an employee benefit plan's report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
  the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration
  statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
  shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  (c) Insofar as
  indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
  permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
  pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
  advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
  indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
  is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
  incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
  in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
  director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
  registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
  has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
  adjudication of such issue.
  4
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the
  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has
  reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing
  on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its
  behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Greenville,
  State of South Carolina, as of August 18, 2016.
  SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
  By:
  /s/Michael D. Dowling
  Name:
  Michael D. Dowling
  Title:
  Chief Financial
    Officer
  5
  POWER OF ATTORNEY
  KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE
  PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
  appoints Michael D. Dowling with full power of substitution, such person's true
  and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent for such person, with full power and
  authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all
  instruments which said attorney and agent determines may be necessary or
  advisable or required to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules or
  regulations or requirements of the Commission in connection with this
  registration statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power
  and authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the
  names of the undersigned officers and directors in the capacities indicated
  below to this registration statement, to any and all amendments, both
  pre-effective and post-effective, and supplements to this registration
  statement, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in
  conjunction with this registration statement or amendments or supplements
  thereof, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms that said
  attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of
  Attorney may be signed in several counterparts.
  Pursuant to the
  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been
  signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
  indicated:
  /s/R. Arthur Seaver, Jr.
  Director, Chief Executive Officer
  August 16, 2016
  R.
        Arthur Seaver, Jr.
  (Principal Executive Officer)
  /s/ Michael D. Dowling
  Chief Financial Officer
  August 16, 2016
  Michael D. Dowling
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  /s/Andrew B. Cajka, Jr.
  Director
  August 16, 2016
  Andrew B. Cajka, Jr.
  /s/Mark A. Cothran
  Director
  August 16, 2016
  Mark
        A. Cothran
  /s/Leighton M. Cubbage
  Director
  August 16, 2016
  Leighton M. Cubbage
  /s/David G. Ellison
  Director
  August 16, 2016
  David G. Ellison
  /s/Anne S. Ellefson
  Director
  August 16, 2016
  Anne
        S. Ellefson
  /s/Fred Gilmer, Jr.
  Director
  August 16, 2016
  Fred
        Gilmer, Jr.
  /s/Tecumseh Hooper, Jr.
  Director
  August 16, 2016
  Tecumseh Hooper, Jr.
  /s/Rudolph G. Johnston, III,
        M.D.
  Director
  August 16, 2016
  Rudolph G. Johnstone, III, M.D.
  /s/James B. Orders, III
  Director, Chairman
  August 16, 2016
  James B. Orders, III
  6
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  Exhibit No.
  Description of Exhibit
  4.1
  Articles of Incorporation, as amended
        (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Registration
        Statement on Form SB-2, File No. 333-83851).
  4.2
  Articles of Amendment to the Articles of
        Incorporation establishing the terms of the Series T Preferred Stock
        (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Current Report
        on Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2009).
  4.3
  Amended and Restated Bylaws dated March 18,
        2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Company's Form 10-K
        filed March 24, 2008).
  4.4
  Form
        of certificate of common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
        of the Company's Registration Statement on Form SB-2, File No.
        333-83851).
  4.5
  Southern First Bancshares, Inc. 2016 Equity
        Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company's
        Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on May 17, 2016).
  4.6
  Form
        of Award Agreement for Stock Options.
  4.7
  Form of Award Agreement for Restricted
        Stock.
  5.1
  Opinion of Nelson Mullins Riley &
        Scarborough LLP.
  23.1
  Consent of Nelson Mullins Riley &
        Scarborough LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.2
  Consent of Elliott Davis Decosimo,
      LLC.
  24.1
  Power of Attorney (included on the signature
        page hereto).
  7