The surname of ARCHEY which is a variant of the name Archer, was an occupational name 'the archer' a professional bowman. The small villages of Europe, or Royal and Noble households, even large religious dwellings and monasteries, gave rise to many family names, which reflected the occupation or profession of the original bearer of the name. Early records of the name mention John le Archer, County York, during the reign of Edward I (1272-1307). William Gilbert, rector of Ridlesworth, County Norfolk, was presented by Alexandrina le Archer in 1375. Edward Archere of County Somerset, was documented during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377). Thomas le Archer of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Pagan le Archier, 1379, ibid. Robert Garnett married Alyce Archer, St. Michael, Cornhill, London in 1567. A notable member of the name was Thomas Archer (1668-1743) the English Baroque architect, born in Tanworth. He studied abroad, and designed the churches of St. John's, Westminster (1714) and St. Paul's, Deptford (1712). He also designed Roehampton House in Surrey and part of Chatsworth in Derbyshire. When the coast of England was invaded by William The Conqueror in the year 1066, the Normans brought with them a store of French personal names, which soon, more or less, entirely replaced the traditional more varied Old English personal names, at least among the upper and middle classes. A century of so later, given names of the principal saints of the Christian church began to be used. It is from these two types of given name that the majority of the English patronymic surnames are derived and used to this day. In the Middle Ages heraldry came into use as a practical matter. It originated in the devices used to distinguish the armoured warriors in tournament and war, and was also placed on seals as marks of identity. As far as records show, true heraldry began in the middle of the 12th century, and appeared almost simultaneously in several countries of Western Europe.