Show ContentsLeithead History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Leithead family

The surname Leithead was first found in the county of Edinburgh at Leith, a burgh and sea-port town. "This place, which is of considerable antiquity, formerly belonged to the abbey of Holyrood, and, in a charter of David I. to the monks of that establishment, is noticed under the designation of Inverleith, from its position near the influx of the river or Water of Leith into the Frith of Forth." [1]

Early History of the Leithead family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leithead research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leithead History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leithead Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Leith, Leyth, Lethe and others.

Early Notables of the Leithead family

More information is included under the topic Early Leithead Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Leithead migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Leithead Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Miss E. H. Leithead, aged 54, who arrived in America from London, England, in 1904
  • Euphemia Leithead, aged 45, who arrived in America from London, England, in 1908
  • William Leithead, aged 48, who arrived in America from Bury, England, in 1909
  • Thomas R. Leithead, aged 45, who arrived in America from New Zealand. in 1918
  • Margaret Leithead, aged 36, who arrived in America from Walkerbrun, Scotland, in 1921
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Leithead migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Leithead Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Jane Leithead, aged 41, who arrived in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, in 1915

Contemporary Notables of the name Leithead (post 1700) +

  • Barry T. Leithead, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for New York, 1956
  • Alberta H. Leithead, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for New York, 1956
  • Joseph "Joe" Meech Leithead (1882-1958), American coach and captain of the Pittsburgh South Side team from 1899 through 1907, President of the Central Basketball League (1908-1912)
  • J. Edward Leithead, American writer, known for his works Bloody Hoofs (1952), Bronc Buckeroo (1952) and Lead Slingers (1953)
  • Alex Leithead (b. 1980), English producer, known for his work on Quintinshill: Britain's Deadliest Rail Disaster (2015) and Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth (2013)
  • Alastair Leithead, British journalist and foreign correspondent for the BBC, recipient of the 2007 Bayeux-Calvados Award


The Leithead 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: Trustie to the end
Motto Translation: Trustworthy to the end


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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