Show ContentsLeathem History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Leathem family

The surname Leathem was first found in Berwickshire 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 Leathem family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leathem research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1296 is included under the topic Early Leathem History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leathem Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Letham, Lethem and others.

Early Notables of the Leathem family

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


New Zealand Leathem 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:

Leathem Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Margaret Leathem, (b. 1845), aged 19, British domestic servant travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Indian Empire" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 24th March 1864 1
  • Miss Mary Leathem, (b. 1848), aged 16, British domestic servant travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Indian Empire" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 24th March 1864 1
  • Mr. Joseph Leathem, (b. 1842), aged 24, British baker travelling from London aboard the ship "John Temperley" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st June 1866 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Leathem (post 1700) +

  • Stephen J. Leathem, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Ontario County, 1928 2


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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