Map of Scotland showing where the Beers arms are recorded
The Beers arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Beers arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Beers Family in Scotland
The family name Beers has deep roots in the British Isles, with historical evidence placing members of the family in Edinburgh by 1748. The name is generally considered a topographic surname, which means it was originally used to describe someone who lived near a specific landmark or geographic feature. In many cases, it is believed to be a variation of the Middle English word for a pasture or a field, suggesting that early ancestors were likely farmers or landowners who lived near a prominent meadow. As the family grew and moved throughout Scotland and England, the spelling of the name evolved to match local dialects and record-keeping habits. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a presence in the bustling urban environment of Edinburgh, where they participated in the professional and social life of the Scottish capital during a time of great intellectual growth.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bier
A Germanic term referring to a person who carries a coffin.
This name
BeersAn occupational surname for an undertaker or someone who transported the deceased.
also spelled
Byres
Biers
Byars
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Edinburgh, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
