Leadbitter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Leadbitter is an old Anglo-Saxon name that was given to a person who was a worker in lead. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old English words lead and beatere, meaning literally "he who beats lead." 1

"In old times, before the process of rolling that metal into sheets by machinery was employed, it was laminated by the laborious manual operation of hammering; and as most churches and other large buildings were roofed with this material, the occupation of the lead-beater was a very common and necessary one." 2

Metallurgy was not an advanced art in the Middle Ages; the metal in modern cutlery is far harder and has more resiliency than that in the best sword in medieval times. It was a common sight during a battle in the early Middle Ages to see a soldier hit someone with a sword, then put it on the ground and step on it to straighten out the bend it had just acquired. Lead was a popular metal to work with thanks to its malleability, making it easy to work. Of course, its toxic properties were not known; in fact, its sweet taste led to its use in antiquity as a condiment in some places, though usually not for long. Lead was commonly found in jewelry as a metal mixed with gold, and in pewter, an amalgam of lead and tin, used for drinking cups and cutlery. This made the occupation of leadbeater an important one in the Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Leadbitter family

The surname Leadbitter was first found in Warwickshire where Ingald Ledbater was recorded in the Assize Rolls for 1221. A few years later, Walter Ledbeter, le Ledbetere was listed in the Assize Rolls for Northumberland in 1256. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included an entry for Gonnilda le Ledbetere, Buckinghamshire and later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Ricardus Ledebatter; and Robertus Ledebeter. 4

As an occupational name, we should not be surprised to find the name as far north as Scotland. "Walter Ledbeter of Heydon was before an assize at Newcastle-on-Tyne on suspicion of robbery in Scotland in 1256. Thomas Ledbeter was custumar and provost of Linlithgow in 1328 and following years. Alexander Leadbetter, merchant in Kelso, 1831." 5

Early History of the Leadbitter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leadbitter research. Another 170 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1250, 1328, 1561, 1562, 1669, 1702 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Leadbitter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leadbitter Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Leadbitter has been recorded under many different variations, including Leadbetter, Leadbater, Leadbeater, Leadbeter, Leadbetter, Leadbitter and many more.

Early Notables of the Leadbitter family

More information is included under the topic Early Leadbitter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leadbitter migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Leadbitter or a variant listed above:

Leadbitter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Leadbitter, aged 30, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Spain" in 1875 6
John Leadbitter, aged 22, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Westernland" in 1889 6

Leadbitter Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Herbert Leadbitter, aged 24, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Umbria" in 1904 6
Charles Leadbitter, aged 66, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Saint Louis" in 1907 6
Clara Larrine Leadbitter, aged 26, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Philadelphia" in 1907 6
Herbert Leadbitter, aged 27, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Philadelphia" in 1907 6
Margaret Leadbitter, aged 18, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Arabic" in 1911 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Leadbitter migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Leadbitter Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Hannah Leadbitter, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Ophir" in 1912 7
Wm Leadbitter, aged 48, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Belgic" in 1913 7
Jane Leadbitter, aged 45, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Belgic" in 1913 7
Katherine Leadbitter, aged 19, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Belgic" in 1913 7
Susan Leadbitter, aged 16, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Belgic" in 1913 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Leadbitter (post 1700) +

John Leadbitter (b. 1953), English footballer who played as a central defender in the Football League for Darlington
Daniel Leadbitter (b. 1990), English footballer who plays for National League North club Gloucester City.
Chris Jonathan Leadbitter (b. 1967), English former footballer who made more than 400 appearances in the Football League playing as a midfielder
Grant Leadbitter (b. 1986), English former professional footballer who made more than 500 appearances as a midfielder
Thomas "Tom" Leadbitter (1945-1995), British scrambles, motorcycle speedway and grasstrack rider
Edward "Ted" Leadbitter (1919-1996), British politician, Member of Parliament for Hartlepool (1974-1992) and (1964-1974)
Mike Leadbitter (1942-1974), British author, researcher, magazine editor, and a leading authority on blues music
Sir Eric Cyril Egerton Leadbitter (1891-1971), British civil servant and novelist, Clerk of the Privy Council (1942–1951)

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
National Archives of Australia retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx