Leif History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The surname Leif has two distinct possible entomological origins. Firstly, the name could have been derived from the Old English personal name "Leofa" and/or "Leofe", both meaning "dear" or "beloved." Secondly, the name could have been a topographical name for someone who lived in a densely foliated area from the Middle English word "leaf." 1 2

By extension, the names Leafchild and Liefchild were nicknames for "dear child." 3 "Leffechyld occurs in a poem of the XV. century, cited by Halliwell, in the sense of dear or beloved child; and so early as 1222, it is found as a Christian name-Lefchild, son of Sprot." 4

Early Origins of the Leif family

The surname Leif was first found in Norfolk, where Godwin Lief was registered in the Pipe Rolls of 1198. In Cambridgeshire, Alice le Lef and Loue de Lef were both recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. Ancient Suffolk records show Henry Lyf listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. The Subsidy Rolls for Essex show an entry for Henry Lief (Leef) in 1327. Lucia le Lyf was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327 and a few years later, William Leof was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 also include: Pagan Lef, Norfolk; Alice le Lef, Cambridgeshire; and Lone the Lef, Huntingdonshire. 3 Early Somerset records show Nicholas Leve, Somerset, 1 Edward III and Lucia Te Lyf, Somerset, 1 Edward III, (both registered in the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 5

Early History of the Leif family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leif research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1198, 1273, 1279, 1677, 1696, 1754, 1763, 1780, 1795, 1797, 1804, 1808, 1823, 1824, 1830, 1831, 1846, 1848, 1851, 1854, 1862 and 1884 are included under the topic Early Leif History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leif Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Leif were recorded, including Leaf, Leaff, Leaffe, Leafe, Leif, Lief, Life, Lef, Leof, Leefe, Leve, Lyf, Leafchild and many more.

Early Notables of the Leif family

Distinguished members of the family include

John Leifchild (1780-1862), the English independent minister, son of John Leifchild by his wife Miss Bockman, was born at Barnet, Hertfordshire, 15 Feb. 1780. He was educated at the Barnet grammar sch...
Henry Stormonth Leifchild (1823-1884), the English sculptor, born in 1823, was fourth son of William Gerard Leifchild of Moorgate Street and The Elms, Wanstead, Essex, and nephew of John Leifchild, D...

Migration of the Leif family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Leif family emigrate to North America: John Leaff who sailed to Virginia in 1663; Henry Leaf who arrived in Barbados in 1663; Sarah Leaffe who arrived in Maryland in 1679; and Dennis Leaf who sailed to Pennsylvania in 1865..

Contemporary Notables of the name Leif (post 1700) +

Vidar Leif Theisen (1933-2012), Norwegian meteorologist whose nasal speech and lack of tonal variation made him into a cult star in Norway
Leif Eriksen (1940-2024), Norwegian football player and coach
Leif Hermann (1941-2022), Danish politician, Member of the Socialist People's Party, he served in the Folketing from 1984 to 1990
Leif Anthony Mills CBE (1936-2020), British trade unionist, President of the Trades Union Congress in 1995
Leif Haraldseth (1929-2019), Norwegian trade unionist and politician, Minister of Local Government (1986–1987)
Leif Sundell (b. 1958), retired Swedish association football referee
Leif Holger Larsen (1954-2015), Norwegian diplomat, Ambassador to Pakistan (since 2014), killed in the 2015 Pakistan Army Mil Mi-17 crash
Leif Størmer (1905-1979), Norwegian paleontologist and geologist
Leif Arne Brekke (b. 1977), Norwegian football defender
Leif Enger (b. 1961), American author, best known for his book Peace Like a River

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.