Lightfoot Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Lightfoot Origin:

England

Origins of Lightfoot:

The surname of Lightfoot is said to be given to the original bearers in the form of a nickname. It is a common element of surnames throughout Europe that many of them originally derived from nicknames, as it was a very common practice in medieval times. In the beginning, nicknames were applied to people who had distinguishing characteristics, such as moral or mental peculiarities, a similar appearance to a bird or animal, a similar disposition to a bird or animal, occupation of an individual, their habits, or their manner of dress. In the instance of the surname of Lightfoot, this surname would have been given to someone who was light, speedy, had a springy step, or who was a runner or messenger. The word itself derives fro the Old English Pre 7th Century word of “leoht” which can be translated to mean “nimble” or “quick” and “fot” which can be translated to mean “foot.” It is also possible that the surname of Lightfoot was used as an occupational surname. This means that the original bearer of the surname of Lightfoot most likely was a messenger, meaning that he actually carried out this job. Occupational surnames were not originally hereditary surnames. They only became hereditary if the son followed in his father’s footsteps for a career; then the surname became hereditary and was used by the children and spouse of the son.

Variations:

More common variations are: Lightfoott, Lightfoote, Leightfoot, Lightffoot, Lightfot, Lightfood, Lightfeot, Lightfeat

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Lightfoot can be traced to the country of England. One person by the name of Hugh Lihtfott was mentioned in the document known as the Curia Regis Rolls of Lincolnshire in the year of 1206. This document was ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of one King John, who was known throughout the ages and commonly referred to as one “Lackland.” King John of England ruled from the year of 1199 to the year of 1216. Other mentions of the surname of Lightfoot can be found within the country of England. One William Lightfote was recorded as residing in Cambridgeshire in the year of 1273, while one Willelmus Lightfote was mentioned as living in the areas of Yorkshire in the year of 1379. Those who bore the surname of Lightfoot can be found throughout the country of England, but can be found in large concentrations in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire in large concentrations.

United States of America:

The United States of America was seen as a safe haven for disgruntled European citizens. These citizens were tempted to migrate to the United States because of the freedoms that were offered within the United States, freedoms that these citizens had never before been afforded. Among those who migrated to the United States in this large movement of people, which was known as the European Migration, was one John Lightfoot, who arrived in Virginia in 1620.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Lightfoot: United States 10,378; England 4,738; South Africa 1,808; Canada 1,277; Australia 1,149; New Zealand 329; Scotland 282; Germany 235; Wales 181; Northern Ireland 107

Notable People:

Sheryl Lightfoot, who served as the assistant professor in the First Nations Studies Program at UBC, and who was from America.

Edwin Lightfoot, who was a chemical engineer from America, and who was awarded the National Medal of Science in the year of 2004.

W. W. Lightfoot, who served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention from the state of Texas in the year of 1888, and who was a Democratic politician from America.

William P. Lightfoot, who served as a Member of the Platform Committee at the Democratic National Convention in the year of 2008, and who served as a Presidential Elector for the District of Columbia in the year of 2012, and who was a Democratic politician from America.

Phil M. Lightfoot, who served as the Mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama from the year of 1956 to the year of 1959, and who was a politician from America.

James Ross Lightfoot (born in 1938) who served as a U.S. Representative from the state of Iowa from the year of 1985 to the year of 1987, who served as a Candidate for the U.S. Senator from the state of Iowa in the year of 1996, and who served as the Candidate for the Governor of Iowa in the year of 1998, and who was a Republican politician from America.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Ashford, co. Kent). Barry of six or and gu. on a bend sa. three escallops ar. Crest—A human heart pierced with a passion-nail in bend.
2) (London). Same Arms, escallops of the first.