The Colyer family was well-established in the area around Stone, Staffordshire.
After receiving lands during the dissolution of the monasteries, Colyer's father passed onto him the manors of Darlaston, Stone, Yerlett and Hilderstone.
It is unclear why he did so, but on his death, he left his nine-year-old son only the house of Newhall in Stone and three other small buildings.
This was probably from his connection to the then Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Ralph Smythe, who was married to Colyer's sister.
Colyer held no other significant office, but was made a freeman of Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1586.