A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Collyer family of England.
Reg. 0808 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three unicorns' heads couped gu”
NorfolkWroxham · Norfolk, c. 1620
Where the Collyer Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Collyer arms are recorded
The Collyer arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Collyer 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Collyer Family in England
The surname Collyer is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who worked as a charcoal burner or a coal merchant. During this period, families often adopted surnames based on their trade, and the word itself comes from the Middle English term for coal. By the year 1620, the Collyer family had established a notable presence in the county of Norfolk. This region was a center for trade and agriculture, providing a stable environment for families to grow and settle over many generations. Because the name was tied to a common and essential profession, it appeared in various local records as the family members contributed to the economic life of their rural communities. These early ancestors helped shape the local history of Norfolk through their daily work and their integration into the social fabric of the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Colier
An occupational term for a charcoal burner or coal merchant.
This name
CollyerAn English occupational surname for someone who produced or sold charcoal or coal.
also spelled
Collier
Collyar
Related arms
Colliarsimilar arms
Colyearsimilar arms
Collarvariant spelling
Coller, or Collarvariant 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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts, 1620
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
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
unicornPurity, and extreme courage in defence of honour
