The surname Leeves has two distinct possible entomological origins. Firstly, the name could have been derived from the Old English
personal name "Leofa" and/or "Leofe", both meaning "Dear" or "Beloved." Secondly, the name could have been a topographical name for someone who lived in a densely foliated area from the Middle English word "leaf."
Early Origins of the Leeves family
The surname Leeves was first found in
Norfolk, where they held a
family seat from ancient times.
Early History of the Leeves family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leeves research.
Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1198, 1273, 1279, 1318, 1327, 1377, 1677, and 1754 are included under the topic Early Leeves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Leeves Spelling Variations
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,
spelling variations are common among early
Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Leeves has been recorded under many different variations, including Leaf, Leaff, Leaffe, Leafe, Leif, Lief, Life, Lef, Leof, Leefe, Leve and many more.
Early Notables of the Leeves family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Leeves Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Leeves family to the New World and Oceana
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded
England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Leeves or a variant listed above: John Leaff who sailed to Virginia in 1663; Henry Leaf who arrived in Barbados in 1663; Sarah Leaffe who arrived in Maryland in 1679; and Dennis Leaf who sailed to Pennsylvania in 1865..
Contemporary Notables of the name Leeves (post 1700)
- William Leeves (1748-1828), English poet and composer, son of Henry Leeves, esq. of Kensington
- Jane Elizabeth Leeves (b. 1961), English Emmy and Gold Globe nominated actress, model, producer, comedienne, singer, and dancer, best known for her role as Daphne Moon on the television sitcom Frasier from 1993 until 2004