Leadbetter Family History & Genealogy

History

Angelo-Saxon is where it stems from

Name Origin

The saga of the name Leadbetter follows a line reaching back through history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It was a name for someone who worked as a worker in lead. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old English words lead and beatere, meaning literally "he who beats lead." Metallurgy was not an advanced art in the Middle Ages; the metal in modern cutlery is far harder and has more resiliency than that in the best sword in medieval times. It was a common sight during a battle in the early Middle Ages to see a soldier hit someone with a sword, then put it on the ground and step on it to straighten out the bend it had just acquired. Lead was a popular metal to work with thanks to its malleability, making it easy to work. Of course, its toxic properties were not known; in fact, its sweet taste led to its use in antiquity as a condiment in some places, though usually not for long. Lead was commonly found in jewelry as a metal mixed with gold, and in pewter, an amalgam of lead and tin, used for drinking cups and cutlery. This made the occupation of leadbeater an important one in the Middle Ages.

Spellings & Pronunciations

Leadbetter; Ledbetter; Ledbiter; Leadbitter

Nationality & Ethnicity

Europe

Famous People named Leadbetter

David Leadbetter- Golf Champion (US)
Charles Leadbetter - Astronomer (1500s)

Early Leadbetters

These are the earliest records we have of the Leadbetter family.