Show ContentsFleyer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Fleyer family

The surname Fleyer was first found in Devon where they held a family seat "at Floyer-Hayes, in the parish of St. Thomas in that county, soon after the Norman Conquest." 1 The estate remained in the family until the latter part of the 17th century.

"Burke says, that the pedigree of the Floyers of co. Dorset is 'authentically deduced from Floierus, who settled soon after the Norman Conquest on the lands beyond the river Exe, co. Devon, whence the name of Floiers-Landa and Floiers-Hayes.' " 2

Early History of the Fleyer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fleyer research. Another 201 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1080, 1091, 1399, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1567, 1600, 1649, 1664, 1668, 1671, 1674, 1680, 1685, 1686, 1701, 1734 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Fleyer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fleyer Spelling Variations

Fleyer 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. Spelling variants included: Floyer, Floyar, Fleyer, Fleyar, Floier, Flyer and many more.

Early Notables of the Fleyer family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir John Floyer (1649-1734), English physician and writer of Hints Hall, Staffordshire, a since demolished country house. He was the son of Richard Floyer of Hintes, Staffordshire. "He entered as commoner of Queen's College, Oxford, at the beginning of 1664, being then fifteen years of age. He was B.A. 16 April 1668, M.A. 1671, B.M. 27 June 1674, B.M...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fleyer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fleyer 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 Fleyers to arrive on North American shores: J. Flayer, aged 42, who arrived in America in 1924.



The Fleyer 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: Floret virtus vulnerata
Motto Translation: Wounded virtue flourishes.


  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


Houseofnames.com on Facebook