Map of England showing where the Leaver arms are recorded
The Leaver arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Leaver arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Leaver Family in England
The surname Leaver is primarily an occupational name that traces its roots back to medieval England. It likely originated as a descriptor for someone who worked as a lever, which was a person responsible for operating a mechanical lifting device, or perhaps someone who worked with specialized tools in a trade. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Leaver family were living and working in this northern hub by 1620, a time when York served as a vital center for trade and regional administration. As these early families settled into urban life, they contributed to the local economy and social fabric of the city, helping to anchor the name within the region for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
levere
Old French term referring to a hare or a swift runner.
This name
LeaverAn occupational surname for a person who hunted hares or possessed the characteristics of one.
also spelled
Lever
Leavre
Related arms
Levervariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
