Lightfoot

Lightfoot
This unusual surname is an interesting example of that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These nicknames were given with reference to variety of characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, mental and moral characteristics, or habits of dress and occupation. The derivation, in this instance, is from the Olde English pre 7th century "leoht", nimble, quick, with "fot", foot, originally denoting someone with a light, springy step; a speedy runner, or messenger. Early examples of the surname include; William Lightfote (Cambridgeshire, 1273), and Willelmus Lightfote (Yorkshire, 1379). In the Norfolk "Towneley Plays of Caesar Augustus", dated 1274, reference is made to the characters "Lyghtefote Nuncius" and "John Litefot, cacher". John Lightfoote, an early settler in America, was recorded on a Census of those resident in Virginia in 1624. A notable bearer of the name was Joseph Barber Lightfoot, chaplain to Queen Victoria (1862), and bishop of Durham (1879 - 1889). A Coat of Arms granted to the Lightfoot family is a barry of six gold and red, on a bend sable, three escallops argent. The Bend or shoulder strap signifies Defence and Protection, and the Escallop or pilgrim badge symbolises Venture to foreign lands. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugh Lihtfott, which was dated 1206, in the "Curia Regis Rolls of Lincolnshire", during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. 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.

Surnames reference. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lightfoot — may refer to the following people:* Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian singer songwriter * David Lightfoot, an Australian film producer * Hannah Lightfoot, a sometimes erroneously named wife of George III of the United Kingdom * Gail Lightfoot, a… …   Wikipedia

  • Lightfoot — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Amanda Lightfoot (* 1987), britische Biathletin Gordon Lightfoot (* 1938), kanadischer Folk Musiker Hannah Lightfoot (1730–1759), englische Quäkerin und legitime Ehefrau des Prinzen und späteren Königs… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Lightfoot! — Album par Gordon Lightfoot Sortie Mars 1966 Durée 38:13 Genre Folk Format CD Label …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Lightfoot —   [ laɪtfʊt], Joseph Barber, englisch anglikanischer Theologe, * Liverpool 13. 4. 1828, ✝ Bournemouth 21. 12. 1889; wurde 1861 Professor der Theologie in Cambridge, 1879 Bischof von Durham. Lightfoot war 1870 80 Mitglied der Kommission zur… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Lightfoot — (spr. Leitfutt), 1) John, geb. 1602 zu Stock in Staffordshire, studirte in Cambridge, war erst Lehrer in Rapton, dann bei Cotton in Norton Hauskaplan u., nachdem er an mehreren anderen Orten Prediger gewesen war, 1642 Pfarrer an der… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Lightfoot — (spr. laitfūt), Joseph Barber, engl. Theolog, geb. 13. April 1828 in Liverpool, gest. 21. Dez. 1889 in Bournemouth, wurde 1858 Universitätsprediger in Cambridge, 1861 Kaplan des Prinzen Albert, 1862 des Bischofs von London (bis 1879) und… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Lightfoot! — Infobox Album | Name = Lightfoot! Type = Album Artist = Gordon Lightfoot Released = March, 1966 Recorded = December, 1964 Genre = Folk Length = 38:13 Label = United Artists Producer = Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4.5|5… …   Wikipedia

  • Lightfoot — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. John Lightfoot (9 décembre 1735 20 février 1788) est un prêtre, un libraire, un botaniste et un conchyliologiste britannique. Gordon Lightfoot, C.C.,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Lightfoot (Transformers) — Lightfoot is the name of a fictional character in the various Transformers universes. He shouldn t be confused with Getaway.Transformers: Generation 1Transformers character name =Lightfoot caption =Lightfoot the human affiliation =Autobot… …   Wikipedia

  • Lightfoot, Virginia — Lightfoot is an unincorporated community which straddles the James City York county border, west of Williamsburg, in the U.S. state of Virginia.Originally known as Six Mile Ordinary, Lightfoot is six miles west of the colonial capital on the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”