Map of England showing where the Shaver arms are recorded
The Shaver 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 Shaver 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 Shaver Family in England
The surname Shaver is an occupational name that likely emerged in medieval England to describe a person who worked as a barber or a shearman. A shearman was a skilled laborer who trimmed the surface of woolen cloth to create a smooth finish, which was a vital part of the textile industry at the time. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in York, a city with a long history of trade and craftsmanship. Records indicate that members of the Shaver family were living in this region by 1620, likely participating in the local economy as merchants or tradespeople. As the family grew, some members eventually migrated to other parts of the world, carrying their name and their ancestral history with them across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Scafere
Old English term for a boatman or a ferryman.
This name
ShaverAn occupational surname for someone who operated a ferry or worked as a shipwright.
also spelled
Savary
Savory
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
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
