Coleier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Coleier family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as a person who made or sold charcoal. The surname Coleier 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 Coleier family

The surname Coleier 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 Coleier family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coleier 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 Coleier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coleier Spelling Variations

Coleier has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Coleier have been found, including Collier, Collyer, Colier, Colyer, Colyar, Colyear and many more.

Early Notables of the Coleier 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 Coleier Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Coleier family to Ireland

Some of the Coleier 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 Coleier family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Coleiers to arrive on North American shores: 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 Coleier 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