Livenax History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Livenax is a name whose ancestors lived among the Picts, a tribe in ancient Scotland. The Livenax family lived in the district of Lennox, in the county of Dunbarton.

Early Origins of the Livenax family

The surname Livenax was first found in Lennoxtown, a village, in the parish of Campsie, county of Stirling. "This is a considerable place, situated in the centre of the parish, and deriving its name from the family of Lennox, of Woodhead, on whose property it is built." 1

Of this origin, there can be no doubt, but we include another for the record: "The original name was Leven-ach, the field on the Leven, from the river Leven, which flows through the county. Leven-achs, for a while spelt and written Levenax, and finally Lennox. Arkil, a Saxon, a Baron of Northumbria, who took refuge from the vengeance of the Norman William under the protection of Malcom Canmore, appears to have been the founder of the Lennox family." 2

Another source claims the family was derived from "Egrith, a Saxon noble, who died in 1064, was the ancestor of Alwin Mac Arkyll, who was created Earl of Lennox, temp. Malcolm IV, and was the founder of the family of Lennox." 3

This stronghold of Lennoxtown is still held by many of the family: "Among the most striking objects around Lennoxtown, is the elegant and newly-built mansion of Lennox Castle, the residence of J. L. Kincaid Lennox, Esq., the superior of the village; this splendid edifice was commenced in 1837, and completed in 1841, and is in the boldest style of the old Norman architecture. The principal entrance is by a handsome portcochere on the north front; and from the lofty towers, which overtop the aged trees that formerly adorned the ancient mansion-house of Woodhead, is a prospect of considerable extent and beauty." 1

Some of the first records of the name include: "John of Levenax, the duke of Albany's man, had a safe conduct into England, 1400, and John de Lenox witnessed sale of a tenement in Glasgow, 1428. William Levinax, younger, of Caly, was accused of forethought felony and oppression in Kirkcudbright, 1508, and Donald Levenax, a follower of the earl of Casillis, was respited for murder in 1526 " 4

Early History of the Livenax family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Livenax research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1500 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Livenax History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Livenax Spelling Variations

The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Livenax has been spelled Lennox, Lenox, Levenax and others.

Early Notables of the Livenax family

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

Migration of the Livenax family to Ireland

Some of the Livenax family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 71 words (5 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 Livenax family

The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Livenax: Alexander, Andrew, Charles, David, John, Patrick, Robert, Thomas and William Lennox all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)