Leveritt

There are two possible sources of origin for this unusual and interesting name. Firstly that it derives from the medieval given name 'he fred', and Olde English pre 7th Century 'heofrord', composed of the elements 'leof', meaning dear, beloved, and 'roed', counsel. It is also possible that this name derives from the Anglo French 'leveret', which means a young hare, and the name would have been given as a nickname for someone with some fancied characteristics of the animal. Another variant is Leverett, one Anthony Leveritt an infant was christened at St. James, Clerkenwell on 18th September 1601. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Luvered, which was dated 1227 Assize Rolls Bedfordshire, during the reign of King Henry III, The Frenchman, 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.