Map of England showing where the Squire arms are recorded
The Squire arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1569.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Squire 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Squire Family in England
The surname Squire originated in medieval England as a descriptive occupational name derived from the Old French word *esquier*. This term referred to a young man who served as an attendant or apprentice to a knight, often carrying his shield and assisting with his armor. By the time the name became a formal hereditary surname, it identified families who held a specific social rank or performed duties within a manor. Historical records confirm that the Squire family was well-established in the city of Worcester by 1569. During this period, the family likely participated in the local trade and civic life of the cathedral city, which served as a major hub for the wool and cloth industries. As the centuries passed, the name transitioned from a description of a person’s professional role into a permanent family identity that was passed down through generations of English residents.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Or, on a chief sa. two mullets ar”
Scotlandc. 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 Squire arms are recorded
The Squire arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Squire 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 Scotland.
Origin & History of the Squire Family in Scotland
The surname Squire has deep roots in the social structure of medieval Britain, originating as a title for a young man who served as an attendant to a knight. Over time, this occupational title transitioned into a hereditary family name as individuals became known by their roles within the local community. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the capital city of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 indicate that members of the family were active participants in the urban life of the city during a period of significant cultural and economic growth. While the name began as a description of a specific duty, it evolved into a permanent identifier for families who settled in Scotland and contributed to the development of their local parishes and neighborhoods.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
esquier
Old French term for a shield bearer or attendant to a knight.
This name
SquireAn occupational surname for a young man serving as an apprentice to a knight.
also spelled
Squyer
Squyre
Squier
Related arms
Carterrecorded with Squire, same area
Clarkerecorded with Squire, same area
Hemingrecorded with Squire, same area
Vernonrecorded with Squire, same area
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Diocese of Worcester Bishop's Transcripts, 1569
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
squirrelPatience and foresight in gathering
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
