Map of England showing where the Levitz arms are recorded
The Levitz 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 Levitz 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 Levitz Family in England
The surname Levitz is generally understood to be a variation of names derived from the Slavic word for "left," often used as a nickname for a left-handed person or as a shortened form of names like Lev or Levi. By the early 17th century, members of the family were documented as residents in the city of York, England. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there were often involved in the local merchant guilds or the skilled craft industries that defined the city’s economy. While the name itself has roots that stretch deep into Eastern European linguistic traditions, the presence of the family in York by 1620 suggests that they were part of the early modern migration patterns that brought diverse populations into English urban centers. These early ancestors likely navigated the social and economic challenges of the time by integrating into the local community while maintaining the distinct identity associated with their family name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Levi
Hebrew origin meaning joined or attached.
This name
LevitzA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Levi.
also spelled
Fitz
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, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
