| ![Show Contents]() Spyres History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of SpyresWhat does the name Spyres mean? The Spyres surname comes from the Old English word "spere," meaning "spear." It may have originally been a nickname for a tall skinny person, or perhaps for a hunter skilled at using the spear. Alternatively, the could have been used for a "watchman or lookout man." 1 2 3 Another source notes: "Spere, to ask, to inquire; a word used formerly in Scotland and the north of Ireland." 4 Early Origins of the Spyres familyThe surname Spyres was first found in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Friù), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland. Further to the south in Yorkshire, England, the first record of the family was found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 when Robertas Spyer was listed there at that time. 2 By the 16th century, Richard Spyre was listed as attending Oxford University in 1515; and George Speris was listed in Stirling, Scotland in 1548. 3 Early History of the Spyres familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spyres research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1417, 1475, 1626, 1664, 1807, 1846, 1869, 1884 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Spyres History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Spyres Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Speir, Spier, Spears, Speirs, Spiers, Speer, Speers, Spere, Speres, Spire, Spires, Speyer, Speier, Speery and many more. Early Notables of the Spyres familyThomas Speir of Edinburgh, a merchant, 1626. Alexander Spiers (1807-1869), the English lexicographer, was born at Gosport in Hampshire in 1807. He studied in England, in Germany, and in Paris and graduated doctor of philosophy at Leipzig. For fourteen years he devoted himself largely to compiling a...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Spyres Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Spyres family to IrelandSome of the Spyres family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 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 Spyres familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Stephen Spear who settled in Virginia in 1685; Robert Speare settled in Virginia in 1653; James Spears settled in New England in 1761; Alexander Speir settled in Wilmington N.C. in 1774.
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: Advance
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
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