Map of England showing where the Spehar arms are recorded
The Spehar 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 Spehar 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 Spehar Family in England
The surname Spehar traces its roots to the Slavic regions of Central Europe, where it functioned as a descriptive name for individuals living in specific rural or mountainous landscapes. By the early 17th century, members of the family had migrated across borders, establishing a documented presence in the English city of York by 1620. During this era, the family likely integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes that defined the bustling trade environment of Northern England. Because the name is phonetically distinct from traditional English surnames of the period, these early settlers were likely part of a small but significant wave of continental migrants seeking new economic opportunities. Over time, the family name remained a marker of their distinct heritage while they adapted to the social and linguistic customs of their new home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Spiher
A Middle High German term for a grain storage official or granary.
This name
SpeharAn occupational surname for someone who managed or worked in a grain storehouse.
also spelled
Speer
Speere
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bartholomew, James. The History of York and its Inhabitants. 1995
North Yorkshire County Record Office. Parish Registers of St. Michael-le-Belfrey, York. 1620
Šimunović, Petar. Hrvatska prezimena: podrijetlo, značenje, rasprostranjenost. 2006
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