Ledsham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Ledsham is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in West Yorkshire at Lerdsham, a parish, in the Upper division of the wapentake of Barkstone-Ash. 1 2 This parish appears in the Domesday Book as Ledesham 3 and literally meant "homestead within the district of Leeds." 4

Early Origins of the Ledsham family

The surname Ledsham was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Ledsham near Pontefrac. The earliest record was Ned de Ledesham who was listed in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219. 5

Ledsham in Cheshire is another possible origin point for the family. This township in the parish of Neston, union, and Higher division of the hundred of Wirrall also dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was "written [as] Levetsham, and the lands are therein stated to have been held by Walter de Vernon." 1

Later in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, Robertus de Ledesam and Johannes de Ledsam were listed as holding lands there at that time. The Register of the University of Oxford includes an entry for Henry Ledsham in 1570. 2

Early History of the Ledsham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ledsham research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1540, 1582, 1602, 1603, 1775 and 1809 are included under the topic Early Ledsham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ledsham Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Ledsham has been spelled many different ways, including Ledsham, Leadsham, Leadsom, Leadson, Ledsum, Ledsam, Ledsem, Ledson, Leadson, lettsom, Letsom and many more.

Early Notables of the Ledsham family

Distinguished members of the family include

the Ledsham family of Yorkshire

Migration of the Ledsham family to Ireland

Some of the Ledsham family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ledsham family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Ledshams to arrive in North America: Fred and Agusta Ledsen and their two children, who came to Manitoba in 1891.

The Ledsham 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: Fac at spera
Motto Translation: Do and hope.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, 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)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)