The ancestors of the name Likens date back to the
Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Likens family lived in one of the places that was called
Leake.Early Origins of the Likens family
The surname Likens was first found in either
Lincolnshire,
Yorkshire or
Nottinghamshire which all have parishes names Leake. For some of the first listings of the family, we must look to
Lincolnshire where the
Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the following: John de Lek; Roger de Leke; and Teobald de Lek as all living in that shire at that time.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) Willie's Lyke-Wake is a Child Ballad, one of 305 traditional ballads from
England and
Scotland, and their American variants listed in the 1904 Houghton Mifflin edition. Lyke-Wake Dirge is a traditional English song that is thought to have originated in the
Yorkshire area.
Early History of the Likens family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Likens research.
Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1334, 1581, 1655, 1627, 1679, 1660, 1633, 1681, 1656, 1720, 1710, 1712, 1708 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Likens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Likens Spelling Variations
It is only in the last few
hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early
Anglo-Saxon surnames like Likens are characterized by many
spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Likens include: Leake, Leak, Leek, Leeke, Leyke and others.
Early Notables of the Likens family (pre 1700)
Notables of this surname at this time include: Francis Leke, 1st Earl of Scarsdale (1581-1655) fought for the Royalist cause in the English Civil War; Sir Francis Leke, 1st
Baronet (1627-1679), an English soldier, administrator and Member of Parliament,
High Sheriff of
Nottinghamshire for 1660; William Leake, the father (died...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Likens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Likens family to Ireland
Some of the Likens family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Likens family to the New World and Oceana
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Likens or a variant listed above: Augustine Leak, who came to Virginia in 1623; Winifred Leak, who arrived in Virginia in 1623; John Leak, who settled in Virginia in 1635; John Leak, who arrived in Barbados in 1658.
Contemporary Notables of the name Likens (post 1700)
- Gene Elden Likens (b. 1935), American ecologist and a leading pioneer in the study of acid rain
- Jeff Likens (b. 1985), American professional ice hockey defenceman
- William M. Likens, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Representative from Kentucky 2nd District, 1934; Union Candidate for U.S. Senator from Kentucky, 1936 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html - W. E. Likens, American politician, Representative from Kentucky 4th District, 1896 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html - Mary Greenleaf Likens, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1936 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html - Darlene Likens, American Republican politician, Chair of Madison County Republican Party, 2011 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
The Likens 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: Agendo gnaviter
Motto Translation: By acting prudently.