Sleath History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Early Origins of the Sleath family

The surname Sleath was first found in Essex, where Walter Sleh was listed in the Feet of Fines in 1219. Thomas Sleh, Slei, Slegh was listed in the Assize Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1219 and Robert Sley was listed in the Assize Rolls of Warwickshire in 1221. 1

The "epithet sly did not primarily imply anything dishonourable; though like 'crafty' and 'cunning' it has since come to be taken in a bad sense. The Slys or Sleighs were skilful men - cunning of hand. We are informed that Sly was anciently a common name in Shakespeare's own town. " 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Ralph Sly in Hertfordshire; John Sley in Cambridgeshire; and John le Slege in Oxfordshire. 3

The hamlet of Ash in Derbyshire was an ancient family seat at one time. "The place was the property of the Sleigh family, from whom it came to the Chethams, and subsequently to the Cottons." 4

Early History of the Sleath family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sleath research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1271, 1275, 1317, 1574, 1674, 1679 and 1756 are included under the topic Early Sleath History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sleath Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sleigh, Sleach, Sleich, Sleech, Sliach, Sleath, Sleith, Sleth, Sleight, Sley, Slie and many more.

Early Notables of the Sleath family

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

Migration of the Sleath family to Ireland

Some of the Sleath family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sleath migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sleath Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Catherine Sleath, aged 23, who landed in America from Nottingham, in 1904
Christine Sleath, aged 36, who settled in America from Birmingham, England, in 1908
Frewen Sleath, aged 35, who settled in America from Oakham, England, in 1908
Henry Sleath, aged 44, who immigrated to the United States from Oakham, England, in 1908
Violet Kate Sleath, aged 22, who landed in America from Cowes, England, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sleath migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Sleath Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Sleath, English convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 8th December 1839, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
Mr. Thomas Sleath, English convict who was convicted in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Belgravia" on 4th April 1866, arriving in Western Australia 6

Sleath migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Sleath Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Sleath, (b. 1824), aged 26, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Sleath (post 1700) +

John Sleath (1767-1847), English high master of St. Paul's school, son of William and Millicent Sleath, born probably at Osgathorpe, Leicestershire
William Boultbee Sleath (1763-1843), English teacher and clergyman, headmaster of Repton School (1800 to 1830)
Danny Sleath (b. 1986), English professional footballer
Richard Sleath (1863-1922), Scottish-born, Australian politician

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/belgravia
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html