Layar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Layar

What does the name Layar mean?

The origins of the Layar name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Leire, in Leciestershire, or in Layer in Essex. They are all derived from an ancient Celtic river name, Leir. 1

Alternatively, the name could have been an occupational name for 'the layer,' i.e. a stone layer, one who sets the stones in building, a waller. 2

"'Layere, or werkare wythe stone and mortere, cementarius': Promptorium Parvulorum, and v. Way's note thereon. Probably the term was familiar to Norfolk, as the above quotation suggests, for Layer has been a Norfolk surname for many centuries." 3

And another source has a slightly different origin, noting the name was from the "French layeur, a forest surveyor; one who makes roads through forests." 4

Early Origins of the Layar family

The surname Layar was first found in Lincolnshire, where Hugh de Leir was registered in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275. Years later, Alice le Eyr (Leyr) was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Essex in 1327 and in the same year, William le Eyr was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk. 1

As mentioned Norfolk became a stronghold for the family. The source History of Norfolk lists: George Layer, of Bury, Surrey, 1429; William Layer, Sheriff of Norwich, 1526 and Mayor, 1537; and Mary Layer, 1710, Boughton, Norfolk. A marker notes 'Here resteth the body of Mary, daughter of Christopher Layer, citizen and alderman of Norwich, who deceased the 9th of October, 1602' 5

Early History of the Layar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Layar research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1291, 1327, 1429, 1526, 1531, 1537, 1600, 1661, 1683 and 1723 are included under the topic Early Layar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Layar Spelling Variations

Before 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 Layar were recorded, including Layer, Layar, Layre, Leyr, Leyre and others.

Early Notables of the Layar family

Distinguished members of the family include Christopher Layer (1531-1600), of Norwich, Norfolk, an English merchant, burgess of Norwich, and briefly a Member of Parliament. He was the son of William Layer, Mayor of Norwich and Elizabeth, daughter of John Marsham of Norwich, gentleman. The four figurines encased in the two pilasters of The Layer Monument, also known as The Layer Quaternity in the Church of St John Maddermarket are rare examples of Northern Mannerism sculpture in Britain.Another...
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Layar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Layar 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 Layar family emigrate to North America:

Layar Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Adam Layar who arrived in Philadelphia in 1749

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. 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)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print