A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Spiers family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 7626 · Dutch, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à trois flèches ailées d'arg., en fasces, l'une sur l'autre; au 2 de gu. à trois bustes accostés d'arg.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Spiers Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Spiers arms are recorded
The Spiers arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Spiers Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Spiers arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Spiers Family in Netherlands
The family name Spiers has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. By the early nineteenth century, the name was firmly established in this area, appearing in official government records around 1815. The name likely originated as a descriptive term for a person who worked as a scout or a watchman, as the root word relates to those who keep a sharp lookout. In the flat, open landscape of Friesland, such roles were essential for monitoring the movement of people and goods across the countryside. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, living through a time when the Netherlands was transitioning into a modern kingdom. These early generations were typically farmers or tradespeople who helped shape the rural communities of the northern provinces. Their presence in the 1815 records marks a pivotal moment when the Dutch government began formalizing civil registrations, ensuring that family histories were preserved for future generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. three bezants, a border ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Spiers Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Spiers arms are recorded
The Spiers 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 Netherlands when the Spiers 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 Spiers Family in England
The surname Spiers has deep roots in the northern regions of England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, families carrying this name were already well-established members of the local community. The name itself is thought to be occupational in origin, likely referring to a person who worked as a watchman or a scout. In medieval times, a "spyre" was a term used for someone who kept a lookout or served as a messenger. As the family settled in York, they became part of the city's vibrant social and economic life during the early seventeenth century. These early ancestors lived through a time of great change in England, witnessing the growth of trade and the shifting political landscape of the Stuart era. By maintaining their presence in York, the Spiers family helped weave their name into the long and complex history of northern English society.
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
Where the Spiers Arms Were Recorded
Renfrew
Map of Scotland showing where the Spiers arms are recorded
The Spiers 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 Netherlands when the Spiers 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 Spiers Family in Scotland
The surname Spiers has deep roots in the Lowlands of Scotland, where it emerged as a descriptive name for people who lived near a watchtower or a lookout point. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the county of Renfrew. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Spiers family were active in this region during a time of significant economic growth and industrial change. As the family settled into Renfrewshire, they became part of the local fabric, often participating in the trade and agricultural developments that defined the area. Over time, the name became firmly associated with the social and professional life of the Scottish west coast, reflecting the movement and stability of families during the mid-1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Speer
A long pointed weapon used for thrusting or throwing.
This name
SpiersAn occupational name for a maker or user of spears.
also spelled
Spears
Speers
Speirs
Spear
Spires
Related arms
Spearvariant spelling
Speirvariant spelling
Spyervariant spelling
Galbreathrecorded with Spiers, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (1811-1950)
Van der Aa, A.J., Biographisch Woordenboek der Nederlanden, 1852
Nederlandse Familienamenbank, Meertens Instituut, 2023
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