Sayers

Sayers is a surname of English origin, derived from the occupational term sayer, meaning a speaker or proclaimer. It is related to the variant Sayer and to Sayre, and it appears in historical records in England before spreading to other English-speaking countries.

The most prominent bearer is Dorothy L. Sayers (1893–1957), an English crime writer, dramatist, and translator who created the detective Lord Peter Wimsey. Her fiction, poetry, and translations contributed to the Golden Age of detective fiction and include works such as The Nine Tailors and Gaudy Night.

Beyond Dorothy L. Sayers, the surname is borne by individuals in sports, academia, and public life across the English-speaking world. Like many surnames of English origin, it has spread through migration and colonial history.

Related surnames include Sayer and Sayre, and the name has variations in spelling across different regions.