Map of England showing where the Speirs arms are recorded
The Speirs 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 Speirs 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 Speirs Family in England
The surname Speirs, often spelled as Spears or Speer in historical documents, traces its roots to the occupational roles of early medieval society. The name is generally considered a topographic or occupational name, likely referring to someone who made spears or perhaps a person who lived near a prominent, pointed landmark. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, as evidenced by records from 1620. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, and families like the Speirs were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. Life in York at this time was shaped by the post-Reformation landscape and the growing influence of the northern gentry, providing a stable environment for the family to grow. These early members lived through a time of significant social change in England, contributing to the local community while maintaining the traditions associated with their ancestral name.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a ship in full sail ar. flags gu. betw. three bezants”
RenfrewElderslie · Renfrew, c. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Scotland showing where the Speirs arms are recorded
The Speirs arms were recorded in Renfrew, c. 1748.
Renfrewshire lay along the lower Clyde, farming country that later filled with trade. Its landed families were long-settled, and long settlement is what brought them into the register.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Speirs arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Renfrew.
Origin & History of the Speirs Family in Scotland
The surname Speirs is deeply rooted in the history of the Scottish Lowlands, particularly within the county of Renfrewshire. While the name likely originated as a descriptive term for a person who was inquisitive or acted as a scout, it became firmly established as a family name in the region by the mid-eighteenth century. Records confirm that members of the Speirs family were living and working in Renfrew by 1748, a time when the area was transitioning into a hub for trade and early industrial development. During this period, the family was part of the growing social fabric of the Clyde Valley, where they contributed to the local economy and community life. As the name spread from these early settlements, it became a recognized part of the regional identity, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and family growth that defined life in Scotland during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Spear
A long pointed weapon used for thrusting or throwing.
This name
SpeirsAn occupational name for a maker or user of spears.
also spelled
Spears
Speers
Speirs
Spear
Spires
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bordureA difference between branches of one family
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
