Map of England showing where the Speyer arms are recorded
The Speyer 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 Speyer 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 Speyer Family in England
The family name Speyer is a classic example of a topographic surname, meaning it was originally derived from a specific geographic location. The name refers to the ancient city of Speyer, which is located in the Rhineland region of Germany. During the medieval period, people often adopted the name of their hometown as a way to identify themselves when they traveled or moved to new areas. By the year 1560, records confirm that members of the Speyer family were already established in the Berks region. This suggests that the family had migrated from their ancestral home along the Rhine to settle in this new territory during the sixteenth century. As these individuals integrated into their new community, the name became a permanent marker of their family heritage and their historical connection to the city of Speyer.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Speier
A German city located on the Rhine river.
This name
SpeyerAn occupational or habitational name for someone who originated from the city of Speyer.
also spelled
Spier
Spyre
Spire
Spiers
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Landesarchiv Speyer, Bestand A 1: Reichskammergericht, 1500–1600
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
