Map of Britain showing where the Livesey arms are recorded
The Livesey 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 Livesey 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 Livesey Family in Britain
The surname Livesey originates from a place name in Lancashire, specifically a township near Blackburn that was recorded as Levesey in the thirteenth century. The name is derived from Old English words meaning the island or clearing belonging to a person named Leof. While the family name is deeply rooted in the north of England, members of the family migrated across the country over the following centuries. By the year 1700, records confirm that the Livesey name was well-established in Kent. This movement reflects the broader patterns of internal migration in Britain, as families moved to follow new trade opportunities or agricultural changes. Over time, the name evolved from a local geographical identifier into a permanent family surname that spread from its northern origins to become part of the historical landscape of southern England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a lion ramp. gu. betw. three trefoils slipped vert”
LancasterLivesey · Lancaster, c. 1664
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Map of England showing where the Livesey arms are recorded
The Livesey arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1664.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Livesey 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Livesey Family in England
The surname Livesey originates from a specific place in the county of Lancashire, England. It is a locative name, meaning it was taken from the township of Livesey located near the town of Blackburn. In the medieval period, families often adopted the name of their home village or estate to distinguish themselves from others in the region. By the time of the 1664 hearth tax returns, the family was well-established in the area, reflecting a long history of local residency. The name itself is thought to derive from Old English roots, likely combining a personal name with the word for an island or a dry patch of land. Over the centuries, the family grew from these local roots to become a recognized part of the Lancashire community, maintaining a strong connection to the landscape that first gave them their identity.
Livesey Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Leofsig
Old English personal name composed of elements meaning dear and victory.
This name
LiveseyDerived from a place name in Lancashire meaning Leofsig's island or river meadow.
also spelled
Livesay
Livsey
Lyvesey
Lyvesay
Related arms
Lucysame arms
Leveseyvariant spelling
Bennittrecorded with Livesey, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Ekwall, Eilert, The Place-Names of Lancashire, 1922
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Parish registers and settlement examinations for the county of Kent, 1700–1750
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
