A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Piers family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'or à une hamaide de sa.”
The Piers arms were recorded in Audenarde, c. 1737.
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.
Reigning in Belgium when the Piers arms are first recorded.
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
The family name Piers has deep roots in the historical landscape of Flanders, particularly within the city of Audenarde. By the early eighteenth century, the family was already well-established in this region, which was then part of the Austrian Netherlands. During this period, Audenarde served as a vital center for the textile industry, and families like the Piers were often integrated into the local merchant and civic networks that defined the city’s economy. The name itself reflects the linguistic traditions of the Low Countries, evolving from older naming customs that favored short, recognizable forms of common names. As residents of Audenarde in 1737, the family lived through a time of transition where local families played an essential role in maintaining the social and administrative stability of their town. Their presence in the city records highlights a long history of involvement in the daily life and administrative functions of the Flemish region.
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's childrenSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. a pelican in her piety ppr”
The Piers arms were recorded in York, c. 1588.
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.
Reigning in Belgium when the Piers arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Piers traces its roots to the medieval period as a patronymic name, meaning it was derived from the given name Peter. In the centuries following the Norman Conquest, the name evolved through various spellings as it spread across the English landscape. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the northern city of York. Records from 1588 confirm that individuals bearing this name were active participants in the local community during a time of significant religious and political transition in England. As the family settled into urban life in York, they became part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that defined the city’s economy. Their presence in such a historic center suggests that the family was well-integrated into the social fabric of northern England during the Elizabethan era.
lionCourage, strength and royaltySir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. three lions pass. guard. in fess betw. two double cotises ar”
The Piers arms were recorded in Westmeath, c. 1645.
Westmeath was midland grazing country in Ireland, taken by Norman families and held for centuries. Its estates were large and passed down whole, and unbroken tenure brought arms with it.
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 Ireland in this period.
Reigning in Belgium when the Piers arms are first recorded.
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
The history of the Piers family in Ireland is closely tied to the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. By 1645, the family had established a significant presence in County Westmeath, where they became prominent landowners. This settlement was part of a broader trend of English families moving to Ireland to manage estates and participate in local administration during a time of great upheaval. The family gained local influence through their involvement in regional governance and their management of large tracts of land in the Irish Midlands. Over time, they integrated into the social fabric of the area, transitioning from newcomers to established members of the landed gentry. Their survival and growth in Westmeath during this turbulent period reflect the broader patterns of migration and land acquisition that defined the history of the Anglo-Irish class in the mid-1600s.
Latin word meaning rock or stone.
