Surname Colyear - Meaning and Origin

Colyear: What does the surname Colyear mean?

The surname Colyear is of Scottish origin, derived from the Old English term coligeara, which translates to mean “coal-hewer” or “coal miner”. The origin of the surname reflects the hard labor that the early Colyears would have had to endure in an industry as vital to Scotland’s economy as coal mining.

The name is believed to have originated in the Lowlands of Scotland, with branches of the family later settling in Aberdeenshire and elsewhere in the country. It is generally accepted that the first bearer of the name was Robert de Colyear who was alive during the reign of King Edward I (1272–1307).

The Colyears were important members of the community in both the Lowlands and the North East of Scotland, where they held important roles in the ruling coal mining trade and the labour force. Their prominence in the local economy meant that they had significant influence over their localities. Many of the Colyears who remain are affiliated with a number of powerful organizations across Scotland.

The Colyear name is considered especially prestigious in Scotland, reflecting the resourcefulness and industriousness that was displayed by the earliest bearers of the surname. Today, the surname is still highly regarded, and the name continues to represent hard work and determination.

Colyear: Where does the name Colyear come from?

The last name Colyear is common in many parts of the world today. In the United States, Colyear can primarily be found in California, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

In the United Kingdom, the name Colyear is particularly prominent in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of England. These three areas account for the majority of Colyear households in the UK.

Australia and New Zealand both record a large number of Colyear households, primarily concentrated along the southeastern coast of Australia. Other significant populations of the surname can be found in the Caribbean and South Africa.

Various other places across the globe have Colyear families. These places include other parts of Europe, such as countries in the Baltic or the Benelux region, India, and multiple countries in South and Central America and Africa.

Overall, the last name Colyear is to be found in a wide range of geographic locations. From the United States to Europe and India and the various countries in between, Colyear families can be found in many places around the world.

Variations of the surname Colyear

The Colyear surname, also spelled Coldyear, is a variant of Coleridge, an English surname originating in the late middle ages. This name has an occupational origin, deriving from someone who performs a trade or profession as a "coal-yard keeper." It is sometimes seen as Collier or Cullier as well.

The Coldyear variants of Colyear are found primarily in England, dating back to the 1600s in Cumbria, where the name first appears in George Coldyear and is recorded in old parish records. In 1638, John Coldyear is recorded as living in Stokesay, Shropshire.

Variants of the name include Allyear, Coleyeare, and Callyear. It's possible that the suffix "-year" maybe derived from the Old English word "gearo," which described a group of workers who performed a specific job—in this case, one that involved keeping coal yards.

The name can also be found in Scotland, the United States, Canada, Australia and many other countries. Its variants include Colier, Collier, Colliar, Collyer, Colyear, and Colyer.

Colyer is another spelling of Colyear that could be related to a nickname meaning "coal-year." It appears in Scotland as early as 1320, when a man is recorded as "Gilbert Colier of Drummirkle." Throughout the centuries, the Colier and Colyer spelling have been used interchangeably in Scotland, with the occasional Olyer spelling appearing as well.

Colyear, Coldyear, and its many variants are all variants of Coleridge, a surname of English origin. It is associated with a profession that relates to coal and the keeping of coal yards, and its variants can be found in different countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Colyear

• David Colyear, British Liberal Democrat politician
• Admiral William Colyear, 1st Baronet of Portmore, 3rd Earl of Portmore, commander-in-chief of the British Fleet
• Alice Colyear, British writer of children's stories
• Antone Colyear, Major General in the British West India Regiment
• Robert Henderson Colyear, 2nd Earl of Portmore, British nobleman and politician
• Henry Thomas Colyear, 4th Earl of Portmore, British peer and Army Officer
• William Henry Colyear, Storekeeper-General of the Ordnance Department of the British Army
• Diana Colyear, Countess of Portmore, British peeress and socialite
• Ronald Colyear, 5th Earl of Portmore, British noble and soldier
• John Colyear, 1st Earl of Portmore, Scottish nobleman and soldier

Other surnames

Colyer