Show ContentsLyveday History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Lyveday

What does the name Lyveday mean?

The name Lyveday was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. It 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

Early Origins of the Lyveday family

The surname Lyveday 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

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

Early History of the Lyveday family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lyveday research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1513, 1546, 1547, 1553, 1554, 1555, 1556 and 1558 are included under the topic Early Lyveday History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lyveday Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Lyveday include Loveday, Loveden, Lovedon and others.

Early Notables of the Lyveday family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lyveday Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lyveday family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Lyvedays to arrive on North American shores: 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 Lyveday 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


  1. 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)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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