Map of England showing where the Spires arms are recorded
The Spires 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 Spires 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 Spires Family in England
The surname Spires is a topographic name, meaning it was originally used to describe people who lived near a prominent pointed structure, such as a church spire or a sharp mountain peak. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York, which served as a major center for trade and administration in Northern England. Life in York during the 1620s was defined by the city's medieval layout and its role as a hub for local merchants and craftsmen. Families like the Spires often lived within the shadow of the great York Minster, which likely influenced the adoption of the name. As the family grew, they integrated into the local community, participating in the daily life of a city that was rapidly changing during the transition between the Elizabethan era and the English Civil War.
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 Spires arms are recorded
The Spires 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 Spires 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 Spires Family in Scotland
The family name Spires in Scotland is deeply rooted in the historic county of Renfrewshire. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of the town of Renfrew. During this period, Renfrew was a bustling center of trade and agriculture, situated along the banks of the River Clyde. Families living in this area were often involved in the local weaving industry or small-scale farming, which defined the daily lives of many Scots at the time. As the name appears in local parish registers from 1748, it suggests that the family was part of the stable, working population that helped build the community. Over time, these early settlers contributed to the social fabric of the region, leaving a lasting mark on the history of the Scottish Lowlands through their presence in local church and civil documents.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
spire
A tapering conical or pyramidal structure on top of a building.
This name
SpiresA topographic name for someone who lived near a church steeple or spire.
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
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Hey, David, The Oxford Guide to Family History, 2002
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
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
