Leitch Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Leitch Origin:

England

Origins of Leitch:

Listed in many spelling forms such as Leach, Leech, and Leitch. It is an English surname. It is frequently given as a metonymic professional name, or to some name heritors as a geographical name. Both origins are Olde English before the 7th century. The first origin is from the word ‘laece’ means ‘a leech, blood sucking animal,’ and as such introducing a doctor, one who applied ‘leeches’ for medical treatment. Secondly if geographical it acquires from the word ‘loecc, an old word ‘lacu’ and which means water. So, it mentions a person who resided by or worked on water. Previous examples of the name documentations derived from real remaining parish records and documents appear as Christopher Leach, named at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London, in January 1629, while in February 1793, John Leitch married Katharine Hood at St. Leonards Parish, Shoreditch, London. The musical writer James Leach (1762 – 1798), was a representative of the King’s Band and was famous for his compositions for fastened instruments, while another outstanding name heritor was William Leighton Leitch (1804 – 1883). He was drawing master to Queen Victoria and the royal family for 22 years.

Variations:

More common variations are: Leeitch, Leaitch, Lewitch, Leuitch, Leitche, Leitcha, Letch, Litch, Lietch, Leetch.

England:

The origins of the surname Leitch were found in Cheshire where people held a family seat from early times. Someone say better before the success of Normans and the entrance of Duke William at Hastings 1066 A.D.

The very first recorded spelling of the family was shown to be that of Edmund le Leche, dated about 1279, in the “Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire.” It was during the time of King Edward I of England, who was known to be the “The Frenchman,” dated 1272-1307. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with name Leitch had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Leitch settled in the United States in three different centuries respectively in 18th, 19th, and 20th. Some of the people with the name Leitch who settled in the United States in the 18th century included Robert Leitch settled in New York in 1774.

Some of the people with the surname Leitch who settled in the United States in the 19th century included John. Samuel and William Leitch, both arrived in Pennsylvania between the years 1840 and 1860. Alex Leitch settled in America, in 1892.

The following century saw more Leitch surnames arrive. Some of the people with the name Leitch who settled in the United States in the 20th century included Andrey Leitch at the age of 53, shifted to the United States from Hamilton, in 1903. Alfred Leitch at the age of 20, moved to the United States, in 1904. A. Leitch, who landed in America, in 1908. Anne Leitch at the age of 36, shifted to America, in 1908. Charles Nicol Leitch at the age of 64 landed to the United States from Belfast, Ireland, in 1910.

Canada:

Some of the people with the surname Leitch who settled in Canada in the 20th century included Archibald Leitch at the age of 65 settled in St. Thomas, Canada, in 1912. Christine Leitch at the age of 40, who moved to Montreal, Canada, in 1922

Australia:

Some of the people with the surname Leitch who settled in Australia in the 19th century included Dugald Leitch, a Scottish prisoner from Stirling, who shifted aboard the “Asia” in September 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia. John Leitch landed in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Constance” in 1848. Mary Leitch arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Emily” in 1849. Jane Leitch arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Emily” in 1849. Jane Leitch at the age of 18, landed in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship “Emily.”

New-Zealand:

Some of the people with the surname Leitch who settled in New Zealand in the 19th century included Elizabeth Leitch arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Edwin Fox” in 1875

Here is the population distribution of the last name Leitch: United States 3,967; England 2,425; Canada 2,048; Scotland 1,779; Australia 1,517; South Africa 1,114; Sri Lanka 717; Guyana 648; New Zealand 556; Northern Ireland 453

Notable People:

Archibald Leitch is a Scottish builder.

Cecil Leitch is an English golf player.

David Leitch (settler) (1753–1794), was a founder of Leitch’s Station, Kentucky, United States

David Leitch (actor), was an American actor.

David Leitch (politician) (1923–1988), was an Australian political leader.

David R. Leitch (born 1948), is an American congressman.

Donovan Leitch is a Scottish singer.

Harry Leitch is a Scottish squash player.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

(Scotland). Gu. on a bend engr. or, betw. six fusils of the second, three escutcheons az. Crest—A hand holding a serpent ppr.