Map of Ireland showing where the Vizer arms are recorded
The Vizer arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1684.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Ireland when the Vizer arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Vizer Family in Ireland
The family name Vizer appears in historical records in Dublin as early as 1684, suggesting that the family was well-established in the city during the late seventeenth century. The name likely originated as an occupational surname, derived from the Middle English word for a visor or a face guard, which may have been used to describe a person who made protective headgear or perhaps someone who wore a distinctive mask. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and immigration, and families with names like Vizer often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. These early settlers would have navigated the complex social and political changes of Restoration-era Ireland while contributing to the growth of the city’s urban population. By settling in Dublin, the Vizer family became part of a diverse community that helped shape the economic and cultural landscape of the capital during a time of significant transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Visor
Derived from the Latin visus meaning sight or to see.
This name
VizerAn occupational surname for a watchman, overseer, or someone who inspects.
also spelled
Viser
Vyzer
Vyser
Related arms
Visardsame arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Archives of Ireland, Calendar of the Ancient Records of Dublin, 1889
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Dublin City Library and Archive, Dublin City Assembly Rolls, 1684
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
