Leathwood Family History

Probably a variant of Laithwaite remodelled as if from a place-name with Middle English wode ‘wood’ (Old English wudu) as the second element. Compare Lathwood.

Possibly from Lythwood in Condover (Shrops) which is recorded as Lythewod' in 1250 and Leathwood in 1597. Lythwood is in the township of Great and Little Lyth and its name means ‘wood in the place called Lyth’ (Middle English wode ‘wood’).

The name Lyth itself derives from Old English hlið ‘concave hillside’. There is however no clear evidence that this place gave rise to a surname nor have any relevant bearers been noted in Shrops.