Map of England showing where the Spera arms are recorded
The Spera arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1560.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with a coat of 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Spera 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 Berks.
Origin & History of the Spera Family in England
The family name Spera has deep roots in the region of Berks, where records confirm members of the family were established as early as 1560. During this period, the name was closely tied to the local landscape and the evolving social structures of early modern Europe. Families like the Speras often lived in rural communities where they were involved in agriculture or skilled trades that supported the local economy. As the family grew, they became integrated into the village life of the area, often appearing in parish registers and local tax documents that tracked the movement and property of residents. This long history in Berks suggests that the family was a stable part of the community for generations, helping to shape the cultural and social identity of the region long before modern record-keeping systems were standardized.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
sperare
A Latin verb meaning to hope or to look forward to.
This name
SperaDerived from a nickname or occupational name signifying a hopeful person or one who expects a favorable outcome.
also spelled
Spier
Spyre
Spire
Spiers
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Berkshire Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts of Berkshire, 1560
Ditchfield, P. H., The Victoria History of the County of Berkshire, 1906
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
