Gullims Heraldry
The family of WERE, or, as it was formerly spelt, WEARE, is of great antiquity in the counties of Devon and Somerset. Tradition states, that their original name was GIFFARD, a younger branch, it is represented, of the GIFFAKDS of BRIGHTLEY, and HtuwoRTHY ; and that they took the name of WEARE only, upon inheriting that part of the property of the house of GIFFARD called WEARE-GIFFARD ; whereupon, as was the custom at that period, they assumed different irms. How far this statement is correct, it u impossible at this distant date to establish, bet these facts have been asserted by authorities entitled to consideration. Certain it is, however, that the family of WEARE, or, as torn spelt. WERE, is of long standing in SoawTMtabire, as well as in Devonshire, and the arms annexed have been used by the existing branch, whose genealogy we now give, for many generations, as various engravings of them on old seals, plate, &c. still in possession of its different members, fully confirm. Those arms are to be found in the third edition of " Guillim's Heraldry," pohlished in 1638, and again in the edition publisht-d in 1679, wherein it is stated, at page 206, " He beareth, argent, on a bend
" This Indenture made at Weare-Gif** fard, between WILLIAM DE SALLEM " on the one part, and WILLIAM " WEARE, Lord of Weare-Giffard, on 44 the other part,
" anno 13, Henrv IV." (1411) L. S. signed, " WILL: WEARE."
The arms attached to this deed are precisely the same as those now used by the family as herein described, but the crest, instead of hrisg a detni lion, holding a cross crosslet, ttrb^e. is a basket offish. We are unable •( tha moment to go further back with the jtaesUogy, tuan w
THOMAS WERE, eldest surviving son of Robert Weare, esq. of Sampford Arundell,
Wendell