Origin of the surname Sayer

Most surnames have only one or possibly two sources of origin, this surname is different - it has five! These maybe summed up as (in order of likelihood), a derivative of the pre-medieval personal name 'Saher' or 'Seir', which itself is a short form of the Norman name 'Sigiheri' introduced into England after the Conquest of 1066. This itself has a Germanic ancestry and loosely translates as 'victory - army'. The second possible origin is from the medieval occupational name for a wood cutter, 'sayhare', although the usual surname is now 'Sawyer'.

The third is from Middle English 'say(en)' or 'seycen', to say, and literally means a professional reciter, one whose occupation was to read or recite both prose and poetry, and no doubt news and gossip as well. The fourth origin is from the medieval occupation of assaying metals or tasting food, derived from the Old French 'essay', meaning a trial or test. The correct spelling in Middle English was 'assayer', which appears to have beeb foreshortened. The plural spelling of the name is a patronymic form, meaning 'son of Sayer', whilst the variants include Sayer, Sayre, Saer, Sare, Seyer, Sear, Seares, Sears, Seer, etc. An unusual recording is that of William Sayers, who emigrated to Virginia, leaving London on the ship 'Bonaventure' in January 1634. He was therefore one of the earliest of the Colonists to America. The Coat of Arms granted in Cornwall in 1620 by James 1st, has the blazon of a gold field, charged with three gold cinquefoils on a back cotised bend. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard le Saer, a witness, which was dated 1204, in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire, during the reign of King John, known as 'Lackland', 1199 - 1216. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Sayer. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of sayer is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. The history of the surname sayer is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of sayer.

The surname Sayer around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname sayer. It is common for surnames like sayer to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones.

History of Sayer

The historical chronicle of sayer is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The historical journey of the surname sayer can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of sayer.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname sayer, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname sayer, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames.

Notable Figures Named Sayer

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished sayers throughout human history. Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all sayers who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname sayer who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Sayer and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of sayer. It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname sayer.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of sayer, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Sayer