Family history
The Society preserves research, family traditions, photographs, and records connected with the Livesay and Livesey names.
What’s in a name?
The former Society’s research connected the surname with early forms such as Leofsiege and Leofsy, and with traditions surrounding the Battle of Brunanburh in 937. The archive interpreted Leofsiege as “dear victory.”
This account is preserved as part of the Society’s historical research. Because the earliest origin and development of the surname remain subjects for further study, we welcome documents and well-sourced corrections from family researchers.
Recorded surname forms
Spellings reproduced from the former Society’s surname archive.
The Society uses this coat of arms symbolically as its logo.The Society crest
The archive describes the arms as a red lion rampant with three green trefoils on an argent—silver or white—background. It records use of related arms by Livesey families in Lancashire from at least the late 1400s or early 1500s, with a registration during the 1613 visitation of Lancashire.
The Livesay Historical Society uses the coat of arms symbolically. No claim is made that every Livesay or Livesey is a direct descendant of the particular armigerous family, or that the Society’s logo is itself registered with British heraldic authorities.
Livesays of note
A weaver, publisher, temperance advocate, and social reformer associated with educational and civic work in Preston, Lancashire. The archive credits his work with helping form an institution that developed into today’s University of Central Lancashire.
A member of Parliament during the English Civil War era and one of the signers of the death warrant of King Charles I.
A Canadian poet whose writing addressed women’s lives and political concerns. She received major Canadian literary honors.
The physician and magistrate who appears as one of the central characters in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
The former Society archive reports that the town’s name honored William Wallace Livesay but was misspelled by the railroad.
These short profiles are based on the former Society archive and will be expanded and documented during the restoration.
In memoriam
The former website preserved a memorial roll associated with the Society’s August 1, 2009 memorial service. These names remain part of the restored archive.
Help carry the story forward
If you have a Livesay relative who is worth bragging about or making the news, email us their photograph and story for our next newsletter.
info@LivesayHS.org