A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aire family of England.
Reg. 8489 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. three water bubbles ppr”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Aire Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Aire arms are recorded
The Aire arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Aire arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Aire Family in England
The family name Aire is deeply connected to the geography of Northern England, specifically taking its roots from the River Aire in Yorkshire. During the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of York, with records confirming their residence there by 1620. At this time, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living near the river often adopted the name to signify their local identity or connection to the waterway. Over the following decades, the Aire family became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the local economy and contributing to the growth of the historic city. Their history reflects the common practice of the era where surnames were frequently derived from the natural landmarks that defined a family's home and livelihood.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ayr
A river or watercourse of Celtic or Old English origin.
This name
AireA topographic name for someone who lived near the River Aire in Yorkshire.
also spelled
Ayre
Ayer
Ayr
Related arms
Arevariant spelling
Ayervariant spelling
Ayr, Town ofvariant spelling
Ayrevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Smith, Albert Hugh, The Place-Names of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1961
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
