Billierd History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of BillierdWhat does the name Billierd mean? The name Billierd is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in Surrey. As a local name, it was derived from the local 'at the hill-garth' or 'hill-yard.' 1 "Hildyard, formerly Hildheard, [was] an ancient personal name. The family are said to have sprung from Robert Hildheard, of Normanby, Yorkshire, in the year 1109." 2 Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Old German Hildigard, Hildiardis (f) ‘war stronghold’ 3 And finally, the name could also have been an occupational name for a hellier who was a roofer, tiler, or thatcher. 4 Early Origins of the Billierd familyThe surname Billierd was first found in Surrey where the name was first listed as a forename, Hildiard de Trule in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1206. Hyldeiard (with no forename) was registered in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1228 and Robert Hildyard, Hiliard was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls for 1275 in Yorkshire. 3 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Robert de Hildgard, Yorkshire; Robert de Hildyard, Yorkshire; Robert Hiliard, Yorkshire; Robert Hildeyerd, Yorkshire. "These four entries represent, no doubt, the same individual." 1 Early History of the Billierd familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Billierd research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1109, 1485, 1537, 1602, 1612, 1619, 1640, 1660, 1670, 1685, 1689, 1690, 1716, 1729, 1743, 1746, 1781 and 1814 are included under the topic Early Billierd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Billierd Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Billierd has been spelled many different ways, including Hilliard, Hildyard, Hillard, Hildheard and others. Early Notables of the Billierd familyNotables of the family at this time include Sir Christopher Hildyard (d. 1602), whose tomb is in Church of St. German in Winestead, as well as a Hildyard, Sheriff of Nottingham. Nicholas Hilliard (1537-1619), was an English miniature painter, court painter to Elizabeth and to James I. His son, Lawrence Hilliard (d. 1640), English miniature painter continued his father's work. 5Thomas Hildeyard (1690-1746), was a Jesuit, of a respectable Lincolnshire... Migration of the Billierd familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Billierds to arrive in North America: John and Gregory Hilliard, who settled in Virginia in 1623; Charles Hilliard settled in Virginia in 1635; George Hilliard settled in Virginia in 1659.
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