Archer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Ireland

The ancestors of the Archer family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Archer is for a bowman, and derives from the French L'Archer of the same meaning.

Early Origins of the Archer family

The surname Archer was first found in Warwickshire, where "Fulbert L'Archer, the patriarch of the Lords Archer of Umberslade, in the county of Warwick, appears among the warriors at Hastings, who received recompense from the victor. His son, Robert L'Archer, obtained additions to his territorial possessions by grant from Henry I., whose tutor he had been, and still further increased his patrimony by marrying Sebit, daughter of Henry of Villiers, and thus acquiring the lands of Umberslade." 1

However, another noted source claims Hampshire was the founding place for the family. "Willelmus Arcarius" held a barony in the hundred of Sunburne, in Hampshire. 2 This family took its name from the office it held under the Dukes of Normandy before the Conquest. Its derivation is rather uncertain, but a family of L'Archer, still flourishing in Brittany, bears the same three arrows that were borne by the English Archers, differenced in tincture. The latter claim as their ancestor Fulbert l'Archer, the father of Robert, to whom the Conqueror entrusted the charge of his son, afterwards Henry I. " 3

Robert Larchier was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Hampshire and Warwickshire in 1166. Hugh le Archer was listed in the Feet of Fines of Cheshire in 1199. 4

Odo le Archer was listed in Devon during the reign of Henry III and John le Archer was listed in Yorkshire in the reign of Edward I. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1237 list Thomas le Archer in Derbyshire. 5

The L'Archer family from Tanworth in Arden in Warwickshire held Umberslade Hall outside Tamworth in England for over 600 years. Of note was John L'Archers, Larger or L'Archer (died 1349) who was an English-born cleric and judge who was Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Deputy Justiciar. He was nephew of Thomas L'Archer (died 1329), the English monk who held the office of English Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also born in Tanworth.

Some of the family were found to the far south in the parish of St. Ewe in Cornwall. "There was formerly a manor called Trelewick, but this has many years since been totally dismembered. The barton house was for some time the seat of John Archer, Esq. who died in 1733, to which family the estate belonged. Soon after this gentleman's death the house fell to decay, and remained for many years without an inhabitant. About twenty three years since the fee of Trelewick was sold by Addis Archer, Esq. to the late Mr. John Harris, by whom the dilapidated mansion was taken down, and a genteel farm house erected in its stead." 6

"There are two gentlemen's seats in the parish of [Lewannick, Cornwall], both of which are ancient; Trewanta Hall, the residence of William Hocken, Esq. and Treliske or Trelaske, the property and abode of Samuel Archer, Esq." 6

Early History of the Archer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Archer research. Another 274 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1210, 1214, 1273, 1296, 1350, 1549, 1551, 1554, 1581, 1598, 1617, 1619, 1624, 1630, 1640, 1659, 1660, 1662, 1682, 1684, 1685, 1856, 1861 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Archer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Archer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Archer have been found, including Archer, Archar, Arsher, Arsher, Arshire, Archere and many more.

Early Notables of the Archer family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Thomas Archer (1554-1630?), an English divine, who was born at Bury St. Edmunds 12 Aug. 1554, and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was elected to a fellowship; John Archer (1598-1682)...
Sir Symon Archer (1581-1662), was an "industrious and learned antiquary, who laid the foundation of Dugdale's 'History of Warwickshire,' was born at Umberslade, near Tanworth, in that county, 21 Sept...

Archer World Ranking

In the United States, the name Archer is the 1,019^th most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 7 However, in France, the name Archer is ranked the 5,092^nd most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 8 And in Australia, the name Archer is the 494^th popular surname with an estimated 7,723 people with that name. 9 New Zealand ranks Archer as 409^th with 1,601 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Archer as 371^st with 17,002 people. 11

Migration of the Archer family to Ireland

Some of the Archer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 193 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Archer migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Archer were among those contributors:

Archer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Gabriel Archer, Lawyer, who arrived in New England in 1602 aboard the ship "The Concord" 12
Capt. Gabriel Archer, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607 12
Georg Archer, who landed in Virginia in 1618 12
Geo Archer, who landed in Virginia in 1621 12
Samuel Archer, who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Archer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Robert Archer, who landed in Virginia in 1700 12
Michael Archer, who landed in Virginia in 1726 12
Thomas Archer, who arrived in Georgia in 1747 12
George Archer, who landed in New Jersey in 1764 12
Alexander Archer, his wife Jane, and four children, settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Archer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Vincent Archer, aged 10, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1839 12
Mary Archer, aged 6, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1839 12
Augustus Archer, aged 12, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1839 12
Benj Archer, aged 35, who arrived in Key West, Fla in 1839 12
Charlotte Archer, aged 32, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1839 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Archer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Archer Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Christopher Archer settled at St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1703 13
Richard Archer was a Constable in Trinity, Newfoundland, in 1730 13
Hy Archer, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749

Archer Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Archer, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1826
Margaret Archer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Eleanor" in 1834
Thomas Archer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Eleanor" in 1834
Ellen Archer, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1844

Archer migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Archer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Archer, English convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Robert Archer who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
William Archer, English convict from Oxford, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on July 3, 1822, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 16
Mr. George Archer, (Bartlett), English convict who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 13th March 1828, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
Mr. William Archer, English convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 13th March 1828, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Archer migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Archer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Archer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Annie Wilson" in 1863
William Archer, aged 34, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Celaeno" in 1872
Harriet Archer, aged 33, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Celaeno" in 1872
William J. Archer, aged 13, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Celaeno" in 1872
Alice J. Archer, aged 11, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Celaeno" in 1872
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Archer migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Archer Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Hugh Archer, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife and servants

Contemporary Notables of the name Archer (post 1700) +

Lee Andrew Archer Jr. (1919-2010), American fighter pilot in the 332nd Fighter Group who flew 169 combat missions with the Tuskegee Airmen, during World War II
Anne Archer (b. 1947), American actress named Miss Golden Globe in 1971
Lee Archer, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
Lee Buddy Archer, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 9 aerial victories
Margaret Scotford Archer FAcSS MAE (1943-2023), English sociologist, Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick
Thomas Archer (1668-1743), English architect, known for his work on St John Evangelist, Westminster, Birmingham Cathedral, founding governor of the Foundling Hospital in London in 1739
Jeffrey Howard Archer (b. 1940), Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare, English author and politician
William Archer (1856-1924), Scottish author, critic, and translator
Frederick James Archer (1857-1886), English jockey
Jayden "Jayo" Archer (1996-2024), Australian motocross rider
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Archer family +

Empress of Ireland

Master Alfred Cecil Archer (1912-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Elbow, Saskatchewan, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19
Mr. Tracey Harley Archer (1881-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Elbow, Saskatchewan, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 19
Mrs. Mary Ruth Archer (1881-1914), née Congdon Canadian Second Class Passenger from Elbow, Saskatchewan, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Joseph Archer, English 1st Class Waiter from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 20

RMS Titanic

Mr. Ernest Edward Archer (1876-1917), aged 36, English Able Seaman from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 3, he died in 1917 21

The Archer Motto +

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: Sola bona quae honesta
Motto Translation: Those things only are good which are honest.

Citations +

Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 155 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1822
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html