Map of Scotland showing where the Weir arms are recorded
The Weir arms were recorded in Ayr, c. 1672.
Ayrshire was farming country along Scotland's south-west coast, held in a great many small estates. Its lairds were numerous rather than rich, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Scotland when the Weir 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 Ayr.
Origin & History of the Weir Family in Scotland
The surname Weir has deep roots in the Lowlands of Scotland, where it emerged as a locational name derived from the Old English word for a dam or a fish trap. By the late 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the coastal town of Ayr, as evidenced by records dating back to 1672. During this period, the people of Ayr were deeply involved in the trade and political shifts of the Scottish Reformation, and families like the Weirs often held roles as merchants or local landowners. The name likely migrated from the border regions toward the west coast, reflecting the broader movement of families seeking stability in growing burghs. As the family settled into the social fabric of Ayrshire, they became part of the local history that defined the region during a time of significant religious and economic change in Scotland.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Ar. on a fess az. three mullets of the first, a canton erm. charged with a trefoil slipped ppr”
DublinDublin, c. 1645
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 Ireland showing where the Weir arms are recorded
The Weir arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1645.
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 I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Scotland when the Weir 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 Weir Family in Ireland
The history of the Weir family in Ireland is deeply connected to the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were already established in Dublin, a city that served as a central hub for trade and administration during a period of intense social change. The name itself likely originated from a descriptive term for someone who lived near a weir, which is a small barrier built across a river to control water flow or assist in fishing. As these early settlers integrated into the local community, they moved away from their roots as rural laborers or water managers and became part of the growing urban middle class in the capital. Over the following decades, the family name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting the broader movement of people who helped shape the development of Dublin during the mid-1600s.
Weir Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
ver
A Latin term meaning true or genuine.
This name
WeirDerived from a topographic feature referring to someone who lived near a weir or dam.
also spelled
Were
Wier
Weyer
Related arms
Wearvariant spelling
Wearevariant spelling
Werevariant spelling
Weyer, or Weyrevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Paterson, James, History of the County of Ayr: With a Genealogical Account of the Families of Ayrshire, 1847
National Records of Scotland, Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, 1672
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
