Vylliars Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Vylliars is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Vylliars family lived in Leicestershire. Their name, however, is a reference to Villiers, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Vylliars Early Origins

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The surname Vylliars 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." The previous shield was "Sable, three cinquefoils argent."

Vylliars Spelling Variations

Before 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 Vylliars include Villers, Villiers, Villieres, Vilers, Viliers, Vilieres, Villars, Villere, Viller, Villier, Villiere, Viler, Vilier, Viliere, Villar, Villere, Devillieres and many more.

Vylliars Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vylliars research. Another 259 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1485, 1544, 1531, 1532, 1537, 1538, 1539, 1550, 1606, 1574, 1626, 1621, 1625, 1620, 1689, 1656, 1711, 1591, 1657, 1592, 1628, 1628, 1687, 1682, 1721, 1654, 1693 and 1907 are included under the topic Early Vylliars History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vylliars Early Notables (pre 1700)

Outstanding 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)...

Another 97 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vylliars Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vylliars In Ireland

Some of the Vylliars family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 197 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

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 Vylliarss to arrive on North American shores: A. Villiers who settled in New Orleans La. in 1822; another A. Villiers settled in New York state in 1823; M. C. Villiers settled in New Orleans La. in 1823.

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: Fidei coticula crux
Motto Translation: The cross is the test of truth.

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Citations

^ Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.

Other References

Bradford, William. History of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 Edited by Samuel Eliot Morrison 2 Volumes. New York: Russell and Russell, 1968. Print.
Matthews, John. Matthews' American Armoury and Blue Book. London: John Matthews, 1911. Print.
Elster, Robert J. International Who's Who. London: Europa/Routledge. Print.
Markale, J. Celtic Civilization. London: Gordon & Cremonesi, 1976. Print.
Foster, Joseph. Dictionary of Heraldry Feudal Coats of Arms and Pedigrees. London: Bracken Books, 1989. Print. (ISBN 1-85170-309-8).
Burke, Sir Bernard. Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage and Baronetage, The Privy Council, Knightage and Compainonage. London: Burke Publishing, 1921. Print.
Colletta, John P. They Came In Ships. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1993. Print.
Filby, P. William and Mary K Meyer. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index in Four Volumes. Detroit: Gale Research, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8).
Mills, A.D. Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4).
Marcharn, Frederick George. A Constitutional History of Modern England 1485 to the Present. London: Harper and Brothers, 1960. Print.
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The Vylliars Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Vylliars Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

This page was last modified on 24 November 2015 at 16:07.