Show ContentsTilliere History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Tilliere is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a tiler. The name describes a person whose job it was to bake clay into tiles in an oven, a common occupation in medieval times.

Early Origins of the Tilliere family

The surname Tilliere was first found in Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and Herefordshire where they were granted large estates after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

One of the more interesting entries for the name was Walter or Wat Tyler, Tegheler (d. 1381), and English "rebel, had no real surname, all the above designations referring to his trade, which was that of covering roofs with tiles. There were several others of his calling among the ringleaders of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, one, it is said, of the same Christian name, and some confusion has resulted. He is usually credited, for instance, with having given the signal for the rising in Kent by killing a collector of the poll-tax who insulted his daughter. " 1

Early History of the Tilliere family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tilliere research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1341 and 1381 are included under the topic Early Tilliere History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tilliere Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Tilliere has been recorded under many different variations, including Tyler, Tilliere, Tylor, Tiler, Tellier and others.

Early Notables of the Tilliere family

More information is included under the topic Early Tilliere Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Tilliere family to Ireland

Some of the Tilliere family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tilliere family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Tillieres were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: John Tyler settled in Virginia in 1623 with Elizabeth, Robert, William; John Baptist Tyler settled in Maryland in 1706; Nathaniel settled in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1630.



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


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