c. 1130
First reference to Leverington
Oxford Archaeology dates the earliest reference to Leverington in its present spelling to around 1130.
Leverington
Leverington, from Cambridgeshire to the world
Leverington brings together an old English place name and a surname now found in several parts of the world. This site invites you to discover the sources, historical milestones and family stories that form a rich and diverse heritage.
Origins
A name born from a place
The documented history begins in the Fenland, north-west of Wisbech. The place name Leverington is attested in the 12th century and is generally understood to derive from the Old English Lēofhere, -ing- and tūn.
An essential point of reference
Understand the origin of the name
A locative name first indicates a geographical origin. Property, heraldry and family relationships must each be documented through their own sources.
Timeline
Milestones through history
Each milestone places a documentary trace in context and opens a new stage of discovery.
1210
The form Leverinton is cited
Secondary works cite the form Leverinton in the Curia Regis Rolls. The original volume still requires direct verification.
1239
The form Leverington is cited
Secondary works cite Leverington in Feet of Fines. This attestation remains to be confirmed in the original source.
13th century
Earliest surviving major phases of St Leonard’s
The lower parts of the tower and several elements of the parish church date from the mid-13th century.
1333
Richard de Leverington at Peterhouse
Alumni Cantabrigienses records Richard de Leverington as a Fellow of Peterhouse. This is strong evidence of the name’s personal use.
c. 1350–1355
Adam of Leverington, Prior of Bushmead
A modern edition of the Bushmead cartulary places Adam of Leverington at the head of the priory during this period.
Migrations
Leverington around the world
Through successive migrations, the name appears in several countries. The available evidence reveals a number of historic and present-day centres, each with its own documentary context.
Explore the migrations- England
- United States
- Australia
- Canada
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Other documented locations
Method
How the history is established
Four levels make the nature of the evidence visible. Level D highlights open leads that invite further research.
Archive, primary source, scholarly edition or official body.
Heritage institution, university or recognised catalogue.
Genealogical database or commercial or collaborative index requiring verification.
Tradition, private family tree or research lead requiring further investigation.
Publications
Recent articles
Wills, taxes and land: finding inhabitants beyond the registers
Wills, tax rolls, manorial archives and maps help distinguish namesakes and reconstruct the Leverington neighbourhood.
From passenger lists to military files: tracing an Australian journey
A service number, unit and service record can extend the immigration milestones and help reconstruct a Leverington journey in Australia.
Leverinton, Levrington, Leveryngton: following a name whose spelling changes
Leverinton, Levrington and Leveryngton may open new lines of enquiry. Here is how to search these forms while ruling out misleading associations.
Document library
Sources remain visible
The project gives priority to archives, publishes its references and clearly identifies hypotheses. Its content may evolve as new evidence emerges.
Browse the source libraryArchivespreferred
Referencespublished
Hypothesesidentified
Contribute
A source can advance the research
Do you have a source, an archive reference or information that could improve this research? You can submit it for verification.
Submitting information does not guarantee either its publication or an acknowledgement of the contributor.