Map of England showing where the Peever arms are recorded
The Peever arms were recorded in Bedford, c. 1620.
Bedfordshire was small, flat farming country close to London. Its manors were held by middling families rather than great ones, but a manor was a manor, and holding one brought 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 Peever 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 Bedford.
Origin & History of the Peever Family in England
The surname Peever is rooted in the history of the English Midlands, with records confirming that family members were established in the county of Bedfordshire by the early seventeenth century. The name is considered a locational surname, which means it likely originated from a specific place or a small settlement known to local residents. During the 1600s, families in this region were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trades, living in small rural communities that were deeply influenced by the changing social and religious landscape of England. As the family grew, individuals moved through the surrounding parishes, leaving behind traces in local church registers and tax documents. These early records provide a glimpse into a time when the Peever name became a permanent fixture of the Bedfordshire landscape, marking the beginning of a long history for the family in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Peverel
Old French nickname meaning piper or flute player.
This name
PeeverA locational or occupational surname derived from a nickname for a musician.
also spelled
Peverell
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bedfordshire Archives, Bishop's Transcripts of Parish Registers, 1602–1650
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
