| ![Show Contents]() Lettsome History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Lettsome is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from 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 Lettsome familyThe surname Lettsome 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 Lettsome familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lettsome 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 Lettsome History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Lettsome Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Lettsome are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Lettsome include: Ledsham, Leadsham, Leadsom, Leadson, Ledsum, Ledsam, Ledsem, Ledson, Leadson, lettsom, Letsom and many more. Early Notables of the Lettsome familyMore information is included under the topic Early Lettsome Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Lettsome family to Ireland
Some of the Lettsome 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.
| Lettsome migration to the United States | + |
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Lettsome or a variant listed above:
Lettsome Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Abigal Lettsome, aged 11, who arrived in America from Huddersfield, England, in 1899
- Absolom Lettsome, aged 33, who arrived in America from Huddersfield, England, in 1899
- Ambrose Lettsome, aged 3, who arrived in America from Huddersfield, England, in 1899
- Elizabeth Lettsome, aged 33, who arrived in America from Huddersfield, England, in 1899
Lettsome Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- John Lettsome, aged 6, who arrived in America, in 1901
- William Lettsome, aged 4, who arrived in America, in 1901
- Enock Lettsome, aged 39, who arrived in America from Ashington, England, in 1905
- Elizabeth Lettsome, aged 47, who arrived in America, in 1914
| Contemporary Notables of the name Lettsome (post 1700) | + |
- John Coakley Lettsome (1744-1815), English abolitionist, physician and philanthropist, founder of the Medical Society of London in 1773, close friend of Benjamin Franklin and William Thornton
- Terrance B. Lettsome (1935-2007), British Virgin Islands politician, eponym of the main airport in the British Virgin Islands, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly (1986-1990)
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.
- 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)
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Lettsome migration to the United States 
England
Ireland
