Leith Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Leith Origin:

Scotland

Origins of Leith:

This intriguing name is of old Scottish origin and is geographical from the coastal town of Leith near Edinburgh, which derives its name from the river at whose mouth it exists, and acquirs from the Gaelic ‘lite’ which means moist, and is similar to the Welsh ‘llaith’, which means misty or wet. There are reported to be three stories as to the origin of the Leiths, the first being that they held the barony of Restalrig. Secondly, that they were citizens of Edinburgh, who gave their name to Leith Wynd, and thirdly, that the head of the family of Leith of Harthill, in the Church of Oyne, was William de Lethe, citizen of Aberdeen. The following examples represent the name advancement after 1342. Laurence de Leth (1388), Robert de Leithe (1406), Leithe (1641), James Leith married Christian Watson in December 1670 at Canongate, Midlothian.

Variations:

More common variations are: Lewith, Leithy, Leithe, Leitha, Leitho, Leuith, Leaith, Leth, Lith, Loewith.

Scotland:

The surname Leith first appeared in the district of Edinburgh at Leith, a burgh, and sea-port town.

The very first recorded spelling of the family was shown to be that of Gilbert of Leth, dated about 1327, in the Edinburgh, Scotland. It was during the time of King Robert 1, who was known to be the “The Bruce,” dated 1306-1329. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation.

Ireland:

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

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Leith landed in the United States in three different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, and 19th. Some of the people with the name Leith who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included James Leith, who came to Maryland in 1665.

Individuals with the surname Leith who landed in the United States in the 18th century included William Leith, who arrived in Virginia in 1714. Alexander Leith, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746. Alexander Leith settled in Annapolis in the year 1760. James and John Leith settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1768.

The following century saw much more Leith surnames arrive. Some of the people with the surname Leith who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included Henry Leith, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1846. J C F Leith at the age of 58, landed in New York, NY in 1867.

Canada:

People with the surname Leith who settled in Canada in the 19th century included Henry Leith arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Leslie Gault” in 1834.

Australia:

Some of the individuals with the surname Leith who landed in Australia in the 19th century included Frederick Leith arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “John” in 1840. William Leith at the age of 27, arrived in South Australia in the year 1854 aboard the ship “Pestonjee Bomanjee.”

New-Zealand:

Some of the population with the surname Leith who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century included George Leith at the age of 27 arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Reiherstieg” in 1864

Here is the population distribution of the last name Leith: United Stats 2,931; England 1,699; South Africa 1,315; Scotland 912; Canada 876; Australia 652; New Zealand 462; Germany 269; Mexico 157; Trinidad and Tobago 153.

Notable People:

Belinda Leith was a British musician.

Charles Kenneth Leith was an American geologist.

Damien Leith (born 1976), is an Irish-born Australian musician and composer.

Emmett Leith (1927–2005), was an American scientist and electrical engineer.

James Leith (VC) (1826–1869), was a British fighter and participant of the Victoria Cross.

John H. Leith (1919–2002), was an American philosopher.

Lloyd Leith (1902–1974), was an American basketball referee and coach.

Prue Leith (born 1940), is a South African-born restaurateur, TV announcer and cookery author.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Burgh St. Peter’s, co. Norfolk, bart.). Motto—Trusty to the end. Or, a cross crosslet fitchée sa. betw. three crescents in chief and as many lozenges in base gu. Crest—A lion pass. gu. charged on the body with three mullets in fesse or.
2) (Restalrig, co. Edinburgh). Ar. five fusils in fess sa.
3) (Leith Hall, co. Aberdeen; now Leith-Hay, of Rannes and Leith Hall). Motto—Trustie to the end. Or, a cross crosslet fitchée sa. betw. three crescents in chief and as many fusils in base gu.; now quartered with Hay of Bannes [which see]. Crest—A cross crosslet fitchée sa.
4) (Freefield and Glenkendy, co. Aberdeen). Motto—Trusty to the end. Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, a cross crosslet fitchée sa. betw. three crescents in chief and as many fusils in base gu. a bordure az.; 2nd and 3rd, az. a hart trippant or, attired and unguled gu., for Strachan. Crest—A hart at gaze ppr.
5) (Craighall, Scotland). Motto—Trusty and bydand. Or, a cross crosslet fitchée sa. betw. two crescents in chief gu. and in base three fusils az. two and one, all within a bordure of the third.
6) (Over-Barns, Scotland). Motto—Semper fidus. Or, a chev. betw. three fusils az. Crest—A turtle dove ppr.
7) (Hearthill, Scotland). Or, a cross crosslet fitchée az. betw. two crescents in chief and a fusil in base gu.
8) (Whitehaugh, co. Aberdeen; now Forbes-Leith, the heiress having m. Forbes, of Tolquhon). Motto—Fidus ad extremum. Ar. a fess fusily sa. (or, ar. five fusils in fess sa.). Crest—A dove with an olive branch in her beak ppr.