| ![Show Contents]() Dier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of DierWhat does the name Dier mean? Dier is a name whose history is entwined with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a deer, where in early times it was used as a term of endearment. The surname Dier originally derived from the Old English Dyri. The name could also have been derived from the Old English word deag, which meant "dye." As a surname, Dier was likely an occupational name for a "dyer of cloth." 1 In ancient Latin documents, the trade and surname was listed as "tinctor" and has a French equivalent of Teinturier. Early Origins of the Dier familyThe surname Dier was first found in Oxfordshire where one the first records of the family was John le Deyere who was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. There was quite a few early records of the family in Somerset. Kirby's Quest of Somerset listed: John Dyar; Richard le Dyghar; John le Dyghar, as all having lived there temp. 1 Edward III. Richard le Dyer, of Kiderminster was rector of Fincham, Norfolk in 1333. 2 3 Again in Somerset, another source notes that Henry le Deghar was listed there in 1260. Later the Subsidy Rolls of 1275 listed Robert le Deyare in Worcestershire and later again, Alexander Dyghere was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. The Subsidy Rolls for Derbyshire noted Henry le Dyer had lands there in 1327. 4 In Scotland early records used the Latin form "tinctor." Henry tinctor was listed in Dumfriesshire, c. 1259 and Roger tinctor held land in Aberdeen in 1332. John Dyer called 'talp,' was admitted burgess of the same town in 1436. 5 Early History of the Dier familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dier research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1260, 1273, 1333, 1382, 1543, 1596, 1607, 1611, 1660, 1680, 1682, 1685, 1697, 1699 and 1757 are included under the topic Early Dier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Dier Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Dier were recorded, including Dyer, Dyers, Dyar, Dier, Dyars, Dieres, Dire, Dires and many more. Early Notables of the Dier familyNotables of this surname at this time include: Sir Edward Dyer (1543-1607) English poet in the court of Elizabethan I, he was knighted and made chancellor of the Order of the Garter in 1596; William Dyre (died 1685), Englishman who served as the 13th Mayor of New York City (1680 to 1682); John Dyer (1699-1757), a Welsh poet; and Mary Barrett Dyer (c.1611-1660), an English Puritan turned Quaker who was hanged in Boston, Massachusetts for repeatedly defying a law banning Quakers from...
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dier Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Dier family to IrelandSome of the Dier family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Dier migration to the United States | + |
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Dier family emigrate to North America:
Dier Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Mary Dier, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 6
- William Dier, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 6
- Robert Dier, who landed in Virginia in 1664 6
- Daniel Dier, who arrived in Maryland in 1675-1677 6
Dier Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- John Dier, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1726 6
- Jacob Dier, aged 14, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 6
- Samuel Dier, who arrived in America in 1782 6
Dier Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Sibilla Dier, who landed in Texas in 1846 6
- Karoline Dier, aged 23, who landed in New York, NY in 1893 6
- Miss Karoline Dier, aged 23, German settler who arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Weimar" 7
| Contemporary Notables of the name Dier (post 1700) | + |
- Richard A. Dier, American politician, U.S. Attorney for Nebraska, 1969-72 8
- Andrew Dier, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Democrats Abroad, 2004 8
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: Terrere nolo, timere nescio
Motto Translation: I wish not to intimidate, and know not how to fear.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. 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)
- Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- 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)
- 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)
- Germans to America retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from Glazier, Ira. A., and Filby, P. William. Germans to America: Lists of Passengers Arriving at U.S. Ports. Vol. 62, Scholarly Resources Inc, 2178
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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