Map of England showing where the Toyer arms are recorded
The Toyer 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 Toyer 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 Toyer Family in England
The family name Toyer has roots that trace back to the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, the name was likely linked to the occupational traditions of Northern England, where surnames often evolved from the specific trade or craft practiced by a household. In the bustling urban environment of 17th-century York, families were frequently identified by their contributions to the local economy, such as weaving, metalwork, or trade along the River Ouse. As the family established itself within the city, they became part of the social fabric of a region defined by its medieval architecture and long-standing mercantile history. Over the following generations, the Toyer name persisted as a mark of these early Yorkshire origins, reflecting the quiet resilience of families who helped shape the development of one of England’s oldest cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Toie
An Old French term referring to a toy or plaything.
This name
ToyerAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of toys or trinkets.
also spelled
Twyre
Twier
Twyerre
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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