Lightfoot History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


The name Lightfoot is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a swift runner. The surname Lightfoot is derived from the Old English words leoht, which means light, and fot, which means foot. 1 Occasionally, this name was applied as an occupational surname to a messenger. 2

"The name 'Martin with the Light Foot' is said to have been given to one of the followers of the Saxon hero Hereward, on account of his swiftness, but the modern English name is probably corrupted from the local name Lydford co. Devon." 3

Lydford is an ancient Saxon village dating back to 997 when it "sustained severe injury from the Danes, who, after the destruction of Tavistock Abbey, burnt forty of the houses in the town." 4 Known as Hlydanforda c. 1000 and later as Lideforda in the Domesday Book of 1086 5, it literally meant "ford over the River Lyd." 6

While we cannot discount this learned writer's postulation, we wish to point out to the reader that more than five other similarly noted authors believe the name to be a nickname.

Early Origins of the Lightfoot family

The surname Lightfoot was first found in Oxfordshire where the first record of the family was William Lihfot who was listed there. Years later, Hugh Lihtfott was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1206 and John Lyghtfot was found in the Assize Rolls for Cheshire in 1296. 7

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included William Lightfot, Cambridgeshire and Henry Lithtot, Oxfordshire and later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Willelmus Lightfote. 8

There was only one ancient record found further to the north in Scotland, specifically "Duncan Lightfot, messenger from Dunfermline, recorded in 1303." 2

Early History of the Lightfoot family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lightfoot research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1301, 1303, 1571, 1602, 1643, 1668, 1675, 1730 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Lightfoot History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lightfoot Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Lightfoot have been found, including Lightfoot, Lightford, Lightfoote and others.

Early Notables of the Lightfoot family

Notables of the family at this time include

Lightfoot Ranking

In the United States, the name Lightfoot is the 3,348th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 9

Migration of the Lightfoot family to Ireland

Some of the Lightfoot family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Lightfoot migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Lightfoot, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were:

Lightfoot Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Lightfoot Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Lightfoot Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Lightfoot migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lightfoot Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Lightfoot Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Lightfoot migration to Australia +

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

Lightfoot Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Lightfoot Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Lightfoot 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:

Lightfoot Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Lightfoot (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Lightfoot +
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