Leylant History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsOf all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Leylant is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Leyland, in Lancashire. The place-name Leyland is derived from the Old English elements læge and land, and means "untilled land." 1 It was recorded as Lailand in the Domesday Book, 2 compiled in 1086 on the orders of William the Conqueror. The family name is derived from the place-name and means "dweller by the uncultivated land." Early Origins of the Leylant familyThe surname Leylant was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. There are actually two parishes in Lancashire bearing the name Layland or Leyland. "The Lancashire Leyland was Leylaund, Leylond, Leyland, Laylond, Lelarid in the 13th century." 3 The first record of the family was actually found in neighbouring Yorkshire when Johannes Leyland was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 4 Leyland Motors Limited, the British vehicle manufacturer of lorries, buses and trolleybuses was based in Leyland, Lancashire. Founded in 1896, the original company is now defunct. Early History of the Leylant familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leylant research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1210, 1503, 1552, 1670, 1679, 1691 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Leylant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Leylant Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Leylant has been spelled many different ways, including Leyland, Leland, Lelland, Leeland, Lealand and others. Early Notables of the Leylant familyAnother 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leylant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Leylant familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Leylants to arrive in North America: Christopher Leland, who settled in Barbados with his servants in 1680; John Leyland, who arrived in Virginia in 1698; Adam Leland, who settled in Boston in 1715.
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