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The ancient years
 The toponym "Lefkimni" first appears in historical texts in Thoukydides’ “History”, in relevance to the victory of the Corkyrians over the Corinthians in the Battle of Sybota, that took place in the sea of Lefkimi (towards Aktio) in 435 BC. After this victory, the winners (Corkyrians, Athenians and Zakynthians) they raised a trophy in Lefkimi, not yet found by archaeologists.
Although there are no archaeological findings to prove it, it is reasonable to assume that the area was habitated in an organised settlement, due to its strategic place, the three rivers, the easy acess to the beach, the fertility of the area and the camping point of the winners of the battle. The only archaeological finding from the area is the head of a Venus statue that belongs to the 2nd century AC and was found in Agii Theodori in 1974. Various pieces of vessels, gems of ancient tombs and tomb findings have been found but have not been evaluated. Recently, the Ministry of Culture has ordered investigation and excavation in places where pieces of vessels have been found in times. “Lefkima” continues to be mentioned as a toponym during the Hellenistic period by Ptolemy and Stravon.
 The decedence of the island for many centuries during the Byzantine Empire, due to its geographical position, continued until the period of the development of italian cities, the crusades and even further. Since the 13th century and for a few centuries, Alikes (salt marshes) operated to give profit. Lefkimi thrives, declining, however, after each Tutkish campaign. In 1267 The island became a possession of the Neapolitan house of Anjou. Under the latter's weak rule the island suffered considerably from the inroads of various adventurers; hence in 1386 it placed itself under the protection of Venice. During those times Corfu separated in four departments (Vailate), Lefkimi belonging to the homonymous one. It was further separated in two departments (Bandiere): of Melikia and of Ai Mathia, based at the respective villages. From the 16th century there is stable historical reference to Lefkimi in the Historical Records of Corfu.
 Present settlements (Melikia, Agii Theodori, Riglades, Potami and Arkoudilla appear in notary texts and maps since the 16th century as Lefkimi settlements. Many surnames that are common in Lefkimi are proven to originate before the 16th century. In the paper of Harilaos Kollas “Ground and population of Corfu in the 17th century” it is mentioned that from the 157 different surnames appearing in the notary acts of the 1675 – 1684 period, 59 were preserved until at least 1986.
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