This is a very rare name of (probably) Huguenot origins which has been "anglicised" from its French spelling. The name is recorded as "Caulier or Caulliere" in the Heraldic Rolls of Flanders, Artois and Normandy , and is a medieval term for a "ship wright". In England there has been confusion with the surname "Collier". The charcoal burner from Olde English "col" but in fact there is no connection. The developments of "collear" includes Henry Collear, the son of Thomas and Sarah, who was christened at St. Botolphs Church, Bishopgate, London on April 26th 1733 in the reign of George 11 (1727 - 1760). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Phillipe Caulier, which was dated March 15th 1629, witness at the Huguenot Church, Threadneedle Street, London, during the reign of King Charles 1, known as "The Martyr", 1625 - 1649. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.