| ![Show Contents]() Filler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Filler is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Filler family lived in Villiers, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. "The family are said to have come into England with the Conqueror, which is probable. There are at present six places in Normandy so called, besides a larger number called Villers, one of the numerous ways in which the surname is spelled. The Earl of Jersey's family trace to Alexander de Villiers, lord of Brokesby, co. Lancaster, early in the XIII, century. Sir Richard de Villars was a Crusader under Edward I., and hence the cross and escallop shells in the coat-armour of his descendants." 1 The existing family of Villiers "claim to belong to the race of Villiers in Normandy, from which sprang Pierre de Villiers, Grand Master in the reign of Charles VI., and Jacques de Villiers, Provost of Paris and Mareschal of France in the same period." 2 Early Origins of the Filler familyThe surname Filler was first found in Leicestershire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Rokesby from the time of the Norman Conquest of England by Duke William in 1066 A.D. Galderfridus de Villers of St. Evroult, accompanied Duke William into England with his son, Pagan de Villiers, who obtained the barony of Warrington in Lancashire and was also Lord of Crosby in that same shire. Interestingly, "the present coat of arms is said to have been assumed in the reign of Edward I., as a badge of Sir Richard de Villars' services in the crusades." 3 The previous shield was "Sable, three cinquefoils argent." "Michael de Valers was summoned from Gloucester in 1300, for military service in Scotland." 2 Early History of the Filler familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Filler research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1485, 1531, 1532, 1537, 1538, 1539, 1544, 1550, 1574, 1591, 1592, 1606, 1620, 1621, 1625, 1626, 1628, 1654, 1656, 1657, 1682, 1687, 1689, 1693, 1711, 1721 and 1907 are included under the topic Early Filler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Filler Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Filler include Villers, Villiers, Villieres, Vilers, Viliers, Vilieres, Villars, Villere, Viller, Villier, Villiere, Viler, Vilier, Viliere, Villar, Villere, Devillieres and many more. Early Notables of the Filler familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir John Villers of Brooksby; and his son, Sir John Villers (1485-1544), of Brooksby Hall, Leicestershire, an English politician, High Sheriff of Warwickshire and Leicestershire for 1531-1532 and 1537-1538, Member of the Parliament for Leicestershire in 1539; Sir George Villiers, of Brokesby (1550-1606), member of the English gentry; Sir Edward Villiers (c. 1574-1626), an English diplomat, office-holder and politician who sat in the House of Commons...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Filler Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Filler RankingIn the United States, the name Filler is the 17,353rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4  Migration of the Filler family to Ireland
Some of the Filler family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 104 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Filler migration to the United States | + |
In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Fillers to arrive on North American shores:
Filler Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Balthazar Filler, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1750 5
- John Henry Filler, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753 5
- John Geo Filler, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1760 5
- Waltzer Filler, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1763 5
- Battler Filler, who arrived in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania in 1763 5
Filler Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Agnes Filler, aged 49, who arrived in America, in 1909
- Andras Filler, aged 37, who arrived in America, in 1910
- Dora Filler, who arrived in America, in 1911
| Contemporary Notables of the name Filler (post 1700) | + |
- Louis Filler (1911-1998), American teacher and scholar specializing in American studies
- Martin Myles Filler (b. 1948), American architecture critic from Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Deborah Rachel "Deb" Filler (b. 1954), New Zealand born writer/performer, character artist and producer
- Richard Filler Taruskin (1945-2022), American musicologist and music critic from New York City
- Patrícia Filler Amorim (b. 1969), former Olympic freestyle swimmer from Brazil
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: Fidei coticula crux
Motto Translation: The cross is the test of truth.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
- Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- 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)
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Filler migration to the United States 
England
Israel
Ireland
