Map of Britain showing where the Livesay arms are recorded
The Livesay arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1700.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Livesay arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Livesay Family in Britain
The surname Livesay is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a locational name for people who lived near a specific landmark. The name is derived from the Old English words "hlif," meaning a shelter or a slope, and "eg," which refers to an island or a well-watered piece of land. By the year 1700, the family had established a clear presence in the county of Kent. During this era, families in Kent were often involved in the thriving agricultural and maritime trades that defined the region. As the family grew, members spread across the local parishes, leaving records in church registers that track their baptisms, marriages, and daily lives. These early generations helped shape the local community, living through a time of significant social and economic change in southeastern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Liffey
Old English term for a river or stream.
This name
LivesayDerived from a topographic location referring to someone living near a specific river or stream.
also spelled
Livesay
Livsey
Lyvesey
Lyvesay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Kent History and Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1700 series
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
