[Illustration] Descended from Sir Nicholas Leycester, who acquired
the manor of Nether-Tabley in marriage, and died in 1295. The male
line of the eldest branch of this family, established at
Nether-Tabley, became extinct in 1742. The present and younger
branch springs from Ralph, younger brother of John Leycester of
Tabley, who married Joan, daughter and heir of Robert Toft of Toft:
she was a widow in 1390. The antiquary Sir Peter was of the Tabley
line.
Younger branch, Leycester of Whiteplace, co. Berks.
See Ormerod, i. 385, 456; iii. 190.
ARMS.--_Azure, a fess or, fretty gules, between two fleurs-de-lis of
the second_. Another coat was granted by Dethick to Sir Ralph
Leycester of Toft, the second year of Edward VI., viz. _Sable, on a
fess engrailed between three falcons volant argent, beaked and
membered or, a lion's head caboshed azure between two covered cups
gules_. But this very unnecessary and overloaded coat does not
appear to have been used.
Present Representative, Ralph Oswald Leycester, Esq.