Colyir History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The many generations and branches of the Colyir family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member worked as a person who made or sold charcoal. The surname Colyir is derived from the Old English word col, which means coal; as such it is thought to have originally been an occupational name for a burner of charcoal or a gatherer or seller of coal. 1

Early Origins of the Colyir family

The surname Colyir was first found in Lancashire where one of the first records of the name was Ranulf Colier listed there in 1150. A few years later, Bernard le Coliere was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in 1172. 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 revealed: Henry le Colyer in Buckinghamshire; Robert le Coliere in Bedfordshire; and Thomas le Colier in Huntingdonshire. Over one hundred years later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls list: Adam Colier; and Benedictus Colier. 2

Early History of the Colyir family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Colyir research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1350, 1622, 1650, 1656, 1677, 1678, 1680, 1685, 1699, 1708, 1726, 1730, 1732 and 1786 are included under the topic Early Colyir History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Colyir Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Colyir were recorded, including Collier, Collyer, Colier, Colyer, Colyar, Colyear and many more.

Early Notables of the Colyir family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir Alexander Colyear (d. circa 1685), who was made the 1st Baronet Colyear of Holland in 1677; Giles Collier (1622-1678), an English divine; and David Colyear (c.1656-1730), who was created 1st Earl of Portmore in 1699. Arthur Collier (1680-1732), was an English philosopher and "metaphysician, born 12 Oct. 1680 at Langford Magna, Wiltshire, a family living which had been held by his great-grandfather. His grandfather, Henry Collier, succeeded and was ejected under the Commonwealth. Two of Henry Collier's sons were transported to Jamaica for their share in Penruddocke's rising at Salisbury. " 3 Jeremy Collier...
Another 123 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Colyir Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Colyir family to Ireland

Some of the Colyir family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Colyir family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Colyir family emigrate to North America: William Collier who settled in Duxbury in 1633; Thomas Collier settled in Hingham Massachusetts in 1635; John Coller, who came to Maryland in 1653; Jeremiah Coller, who settled in Maryland in 1660.

The Colyir 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: Nemo sine cruce beatus
Motto Translation: No one is happy but by the cross.

Citations +

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)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print