Map of England showing where the Leeth arms are recorded
The Leeth 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 Leeth 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 Leeth Family in England
The family name Leeth is rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with significant evidence placing members of the family in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a vital administrative and commercial hub, and families like the Leeths were often part of the growing class of tradespeople or local citizens who kept the city running. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older English or Old Norse terms related to location, potentially describing someone who lived near a specific waterway or a boundary line. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, participating in the daily life of a city that was transitioning from its medieval past into a more modern era. By establishing themselves in such a prominent urban center, the early Leeth family members were well-positioned to witness and contribute to the significant cultural and economic changes occurring in England during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lith
Old English term referring to a slope or a gentle hill.
This name
LeethA topographical surname for someone who lived on or near a hillside or gentle slope.
also spelled
Leath
Leathe
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bordureA difference between branches of one family
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
