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![Show Contents]() Players History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Players is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name was taken on by someone who worked as a person who worked as a player, which was originally derived from the Old English word plegere. In this case the Players surname referred to those individuals who were musicians or actors who played for a living. 1 While most sources believe the name is Saxon, one source claims that the name may have been Norman as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Andreas Placitor in Normandy (1180-1195.) 2 Early Origins of the Players familyThe surname Players was first found in Middlesex where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. Early History of the Players familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Players research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1561, 1582, 1596, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1609, 1619, 1651, 1660, 1672 and 1755 are included under the topic Early Players History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Players Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Players include Player, Pleyer, Players and others. Early Notables of the Players familyNotables of this surname at this time include: Sir Thomas Player (1608-1672), English Chamberlain of London, son of Robert Player of Canterbury. He was one of the leading residents in Hackney, where he had a large house in Mare Street, and he soon occupied a prominent position in the city. He became a member of the Haberdashers' Company, and was elected by the livery chamberlain of London on 20 Oct. 1651. On 5 July 1660 he...
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Players Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Players familyA great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Robert Player, who settled in Nevis in 1663; John and Richard Player settled in Virginia in 1653; Thomas Player settled in Maryland in 1654.
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Servitute clarior
Motto Translation: More illustrious by service.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
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