Leaders History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Etymology of Leaders

The many generations and branches of the Leaders family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member worked as a drover; a driver of a cart or vehicle carrying cargo of one kind or another. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English word lædere, which meant leader, because of course the driver had to lead the horses pulling the cart. 1 Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries. Occupational names have remained fairly common in the modern period. This is attested to by the continuing appearance of occupational suffixes at the end of many English surnames. Some of these suffixes include: herd, monger, maker, hewer, smith, and wright. Similarly, surnames of office, which include military, judicial, papal and other positions of authority, are widespread throughout Europe. Those who were involved in the military, or feudal armies, were given names such as the English surname Archer, the French name Chevalier and the German name Jeger, which means hunter. Names that were derived from judicial and papal titles, such as Bailiff, Squire and Abbott, are still commonly seen with the same surname spelling today.

Early Origins of the Leaders family

Early History of the Leaders family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leaders research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1243, 1553, 1558, 1601, 1688, 1767, 1771, 1798, 1810, 1812, 1818, 1823, 1826, 1828, 1885 and 1903 are included under the topic Early Leaders History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leaders Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Leaders were recorded, including Leader, Leeder and others.

Early Notables of the Leaders family

Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leaders Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Leaders family to Ireland

Some of the Leaders family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Leaders family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Leaders family emigrate to North America: Richard Leader, who settled at Lynn Massachusetts in 1630; William Leader settled in Virginia in 1677; Anne Leader settled in Savannah, Georgia in 1825..