Show ContentsLeverton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Leverton is a nickname for a prominent ruler. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Fhlaithbheartaich, which means son of the dominion bearing, or son of the ruler. The name is a cognate of the Irish name Flaherty, which is Flaithbheartach in Gaelic. Flaithbheartach, in modern Irish, means generous or hospitable, which may hint at some of the qualities that are described by the name Leverton.

Early Origins of the Leverton family

The surname Leverton was first found in Islay, one of the Hebridean islands, and Court of the Lords of the Isles from very ancient times. The MacLavertys, MacLevertys, and variations on that spelling were heralds of the great Lords of the Isles, the first Dalriadan kingdom of Scotland.

The MacLiver variant is an interesting one. "The old pronunciation was Macleever, [while] the modern is Macliver. A commission was granted Campbell of Auchinbrek and others in 1619 to apprehend Ewne M' Finla VcGillevir in Kilchoane, and John McEwne VcIlliver, who had been denounced rebels by Campbell of Barbreck. John Roy M'Gilliver in Islay, 1686. Sometimes confused with Macclure, q. v. M'Ileur (in Islay) 1733." 1

Early History of the Leverton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leverton research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1524 and 1540 are included under the topic Early Leverton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leverton Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Leverton has appeared as MacLaverty, McLaverty, McLafferty, MacLafferty, MacLardy, MacLardie, McLardy, McLardie, MacLeverty, McLeverty, MacLacharty, McLacharty and many more.

Early Notables of the Leverton family

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

Ireland Migration of the Leverton family to Ireland

Some of the Leverton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Leverton migration to the United States +

The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name Leverton or a variant listed above include:

Leverton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Jane Leverton, (b. 1882), aged 23, Cornish settler, from Truro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Carmania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Carbondale, Pennsylvania, USA 2

Australia Leverton migration to Australia +

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

Leverton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Leverton, (b. 1871), aged 20, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Merkara" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 23rd November 1891 3

New Zealand Leverton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Leverton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Leverton, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Miss Mary Leverton, (b. 1872), aged 1 year and 2 months, Cornish settler departing on 13th May 1873 aboard the ship "Mary Shepherd" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 20th August 1873 4
  • Mrs. Nanny Leverton, (b. 1847), aged 26, Cornish settler departing on 13th May 1873 aboard the ship "Mary Shepherd" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 20th August 1873 4
  • Miss Nellie Leverton, (b. 1873), aged 1 months, Cornish settler departing on 13th May 1873 aboard the ship "Mary Shepherd" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 20th August 1873 4
  • Mr. William Leverton, Jr., (b. 1849), aged 24, Cornish miner departing on 13th May 1873 aboard the ship "Mary Shepherd" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 20th August 1873 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Leverton (post 1700) +

  • Irene H. Leverton (1927-2017), American NASA pilot, member of the Women in Space Program and Mercury 13 program
  • Norm Leverton (1924-2009), Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne n 1945
  • Jim Leverton (b. 1946), English professional musician from Dover, Kent, known for his work with the Jimi Hendrix Experience's Noel Redding, Steve Marriott and Blodwyn Pig
  • Thomas Leverton (1743-1824), English architect from Waltham Abbey, Essex, son of the builder Lancelot Leverton, best known for his Triumphal Arch at Parlington Hall
  • Thomas Leverton Donaldson (1795-1885), British architect, a pioneer in architectural education, co-founder and President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, winner of the RIBA Royal Gold Medal
  • Cyril Leverton Vincent (1902-1968), South African cricketer
  • Leverton Pierre (b. 1998), Haitian professional footballer


The Leverton Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.


  1. 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)
  2. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  3. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
  4. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf


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