Map of England showing where the Leverington arms are recorded
The Leverington 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 Leverington 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 Leverington Family in England
The surname Leverington is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or personal characteristic. It is derived from the village of Leverington in Cambridgeshire, which was historically known as "Leofric’s tun," or the settlement belonging to a man named Leofric. By the early 17th century, members of the family had moved away from their ancestral home and established a presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that the family was well-integrated into the urban life of Northern England during this period. As they settled in York, the family likely transitioned from rural life to the diverse trades and merchant activities that defined the city’s economy. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of English families during the Stuart era as they sought new opportunities in growing regional centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Leofhere
Derived from Old English elements meaning dear or beloved army.
This name
LeveringtonRefers to the settlement or estate belonging to the descendants of Leofhere.
also spelled
Leveryngton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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