Map of England showing where the Levens arms are recorded
The Levens arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1574.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Levens 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 Oxford.
Origin & History of the Levens Family in England
The surname Levens is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, likely originating as a topographic name for people who lived near the village of Levens in Westmorland. By the late sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the university city of Oxford. Historical records confirm that members of the Levens family were living in Oxford by 1574, where they integrated into the local community during a time of significant academic and social growth. As the name spread from its northern origins to the scholarly environment of Oxford, it became part of the city’s evolving history. These early family members were likely tradespeople or scholars who contributed to the daily life of the city, helping to anchor the name within the region's official records for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Leofwine
Derived from Old English elements meaning dear or beloved friend.
This name
LevensA habitational name referring to someone from the village of Levens in Cumbria.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Oxfordshire Archives, Oxford City Council Records: Council Acts 1542–1602, 1574
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English 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
branchPeace, and new growth
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
branchPeace, and new growth
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
