Map of England showing where the Steer arms are recorded
The Steer 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 Steer 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 Steer Family in England
The surname Steer is primarily occupational in origin, derived from the Middle English word "stere," which referred to a person who managed or drove cattle. In the context of early seventeenth-century England, this name likely identified an individual whose livelihood depended on the transport or care of livestock. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Steer family were established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital regional hub for trade and agriculture in Northern England. Families living in the city at that time were often integrated into the local guild systems or involved in the bustling market economy that defined the region. The presence of the family in such a prominent urban center suggests they were active participants in the social and economic life of the city during the early Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
stier
Old English and Germanic term for a young ox or bull.
This name
SteerAn occupational name for a herdsman or a nickname for someone with a bull-like temperament.
also spelled
Stere
Stiere
Steerrs
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
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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
