Sayer Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Sayer Name Meaning: A derivative of the medieval personal name 'Saher' or 'Seir',loosley translates as 'victory-army'. Secondly an occupational name for a wood cutter 'Sayhare'/'Sawyer'. Thirdly occupational for assaying metals or tasting food ,from French 'essay' meaning 'trial' or 'test'. 'Assayer'.

The plural spelling iof the name is a patronymic form,meaning 'son of Sayer'. An example recording would be that of 'William Sayers',dated 1634.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Sayer Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Sayer family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 129
Female Servant 95
Independent 86
Labourer 45
Farmer 43
Ag Labourer 32
Shoe Maker 27
Male Servant 25
Carpenter 19
Dress Maker 14
Weaver 14
Gardener 12
Tailor 12
Publican 10
Independant 9
Baker 8
Clerk 8
Miller 8
Apprentice 7
Bricklayer 7
Brick Maker 6
Pupil 6
Ag Lab 6
Carrier 5
Pauper 5

Sayer Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Sayer 100% 28,534
2 Syer 80% 3,390
3 Sawer 80% 3,359
4 Soyer 80% 216
5 Syre 40% 167
6 Seyer 80% 148
7 Sayor 80% 142

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The surname Sayer is the most popular version of all its varients

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