Lovedant is an ancient name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of emigration that followed the
Norman Conquest of
England in 1066. The name comes from the Old English given name Loveday and the Old English given name Leofdoeg, which is composed of the elements leof, which means dear or beloved, and doeg, which means day. This name was also a
nickname for a person who had an association with a loveday which, according to medieval custom, a loveday was a day set aside for reconciliation and settlement of disputes or feuds. Another source claims the name was in fact, Norman "from Loveday, or Loudet [in] Toulouse. William Loveday was a benefactor to the Knights Templars. "
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)Early Origins of the Lovedant family
The surname Lovedant was first found in
Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire where Walter Loveday and Richard Loveday were listed in the
Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. In 1297, William Loveday, of
Oxfordshire received a writ of military summons.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X) Years later, Ralph Loveday was listed in the Writs of Parliament of 1331 and Hugo Lofdey was listed in the
Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379.
[2]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)
Early History of the Lovedant family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lovedant research.
Another 200 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1513, 1558, 1553, 1554, 1546, 1547, 1555 and 1556 are included under the topic Early Lovedant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Lovedant Spelling Variations
Endless
spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Loveday, Loveden, Lovedon and others.
Early Notables of the Lovedant family (pre 1700)
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lovedant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Lovedant family to Ireland
Some of the Lovedant family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 115 words (8 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 Lovedant family to the New World and Oceana
To escape the political and religious persecution within
England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Lovedant or a variant listed above: Thomas Loveday, who settled in Barbados in 1686; Francis Loveday settled in Virginia in 1653; Joseph Loveday settled in New
England in 1772; Mary Loveday settled in Maryland in 1772..
The Lovedant 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: Cum prima luce
Motto Translation: When the first