Player Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Player Origin:

England, Ireland

Origins of Player:

According to the early recordings of the spellings of this surname, this name is listed in many spelling forms such as Plaw, Play, Plea, Pley, Ple, Ply and in the inherited form as Player and Pleyer. This unusual surname is of 7th century Olde English origins, and has two distinct origins. The first origin of the name is that it is a professional surname for an artist or a singer, acquiring from the Olde English pre 7th Century “pleg,” which means to play or perform. A second possible description is that it is a nick name for a prominent opponent who participated in competitions of sports or athletics on the ‘plai-stow.’ Professional surnames ultimately showed the real profession of the name holder, and then became genetics. However, nicknames provided in the first example related to the profession, or to a difference of qualities, like physical characteristics or particularity, or also considered similar to an animal’s or bird’s characteristics or individuality. Previous examples of the surname derived from remaining parish records in the district of Greater London consist of John Play at St Botolphs Bishopgate in May 1549, Margarett Ply who married Robert Barwell at St Giles Cripplegate in November 1587, and George Plaw at St James Dukes Place, Westminster, in July 1695. Two remarkable name holders recorded in the “Documentations of National Biography,” were Thomas Player (1608 – 1672), and Thomas Player (junior) who passed away in 1686. Both fought, and both were selected Chamberlain of the City of London.

Variations:

More common variations are: Palayer, Plyer, Playr, Plaer, Payler, Ployer, Pleyer, Blayer, Pilyer, Pulyer.

England:

The origins of the surname Player were found in Middlesex where people held a family seat from early times and their first recording is shown on the previous poll rolls derived by the old lords of Britain to develop the rate of taxation of their activities.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of John le Pleyer, dated about 1296, in the pipe rolls of the division of Hertfordshire. It was during the time of King Edward I, dated 1272- 1307. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England. Surnames all over the country began to develop, with unique and shocking spelling varietions of the original one.

Ireland:

Many of the people with the name Player had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Player settled in the United States in two different centuries respectively in the 17th, and 19th. Some of the people with the name Player who settled in the United States in the 17th century included Elizabeth Player landed in Virginia in 1652. John Player and Richard Player, both arrived in Virginia in the same year in 1653. Thomas Player came to Maryland in 1654, and Robert Player settled in Nevis in 1663.

The following century saw more Player surnames arrive. Some of the people with the name Player who settled in the United States in the 19th century included Jan F Player arrived in San Francisco in the year 1851.

New-Zealand:

Some of the people with the surname Player who settled in New Zealand in the 19th century included Edward Player, Margaret Player, David Player and Sarah Player, all arrived in Wellington, New-Zealand aboard the same ship “ Alfred The Great” in the same year in 1859.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Player: United States 4,125; England 1,640; Australia 665; Canada 412; South Africa 603; Scotland 98; Wales 102; Germany 269; Brazil 159; Pakistan 1,509.

Notable People:

Gary Player DMS, OIG is a South African professional golf player, well-known as one of the most successful players in the golfing world.

Scott Darwin Player was born in December 1969. He is an old NFL, CFL, and UFL punter. He was selected by the Birmingham Barracudas as a free agent in the year 1995. He also played college football at Florida State.

Tchissakid Dre Player (born February 4, 1992) is a Canadian football player who is a current free agent. He player for the BC Lions in the second round of the 2014 CFL Draft.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Hackney, co. Middlesex). Motto—Servitute clarior. Az. a pale or, guttée de sang. Crest—An arm in armour fessways holding a broken lance all ppr.
2) Az. a pale erm. Crest—An armed arm in bend couped below the elbow, the hand supporting a broken spear erect all ppr.