A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eyer family of England.
Reg. 8721 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. on a bend sa. three quatrefoils of the field”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Eyer Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Eyer arms are recorded
The Eyer 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 Eyer 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 Eyer Family in England
The family name Eyer is rooted in the occupational and topographical naming traditions of medieval England. It likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a specific landmark, such as an island or a riverbank, derived from the Old English word "ig" or "ieg." By the time members of the family were recorded in York in 1620, the name had become a stable surname passed down through generations. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Eyers were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. These early settlers helped shape the social fabric of the city as they navigated the transition from the Elizabethan era into the Stuart period. The name reflects a long history of families who were deeply connected to the geography and local communities of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eyre
Derived from the Old French word for an heir or successor.
This name
EyerAn occupational name for a messenger or a topographic name for an heir.
also spelled
Eyre
Related arms
Eyrevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
plant quatrefoilGood fortune and the fourfold gospel
