Origins Available: English,
Scottish
Early Origins of the Leathe family
The surname Leathe was first found in
Cumberland where they held a
family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 11th century when they held lands.
Early History of the Leathe family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leathe research.
Another 173 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1070, 1455, and 1487 are included under the topic Early Leathe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Leathe Spelling Variations
Only 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 Leathe has undergone many
spelling variations, including Leathes, Lethes, Lerthes, Leathley and others.
Early Notables of the Leathe family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Leathe Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Leathe family to the New World and Oceana
To 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 Leathe were among those contributors: William Leathes, recorded in New York city in 1711.
The Leathe 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: In ardua virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue against difficulties.