Lightning Surname HistoryThe Lightning name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in a clearing or glade. The surname Lightning is derived from the Old English word leoht, which means light and is theorized to specifically mean light place in this case. The surname Lightning belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees. Early Origins of the Lightning familyThe surname Lightning was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Early History of the Lightning familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lightning research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1529, 1546, 1564, 1578, 1588 and 1607 are included under the topic Early Lightning History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Lightning Spelling VariationsOnly recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Lightning has undergone many spelling variations, including Light, Lyte, Lite and others. Early Notables of the Lightning familyAnother 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lightning Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Lightning familyTo escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Lightning were among those contributors: Elias Light settled in Virginia in 1637 along with Richard; George Light settled in Virginia in 1652 with Mary; William and John Light settled in Virginia in 1653..
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