Lesslie

Origin and Meaning:

Lesslie is a British surname of English and Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Læcca," which means 'water sedge' or 'reed.' The addition of the Old English word "leah," meaning 'wood,' 'clearing,' or 'meadow,' indicates that the name Lesslie likely referred to someone who lived near a clearing where water sedge grew.

Distribution and Popularity:

The surname Lesslie is relatively uncommon and is mainly found in pockets across the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Scotland. It has also been carried by a small number of individuals in other English-speaking countries.

Notable Bearers:

  • Patrick Lesslie: A renowned British botanist and conservationist who contributed significantly to the study and preservation of native flora in the UK.

  • Jennifer Lesslie: A respected architect known for her innovative designs and sustainable building practices, particularly in the field of residential architecture.

Variants:

Variants of the Lesslie surname include Leslie, Lesley, Lesly, and Lassley.

References:

  • Reaney, P. H., and Wilson, R. M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997.

  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., and McClure, P. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2016.

There are approximately 154 people named Lesslie in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Lesslie.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Brian
  • Chris
  • Craig
  • David
  • Graham
  • Iain
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Peter
  • Ronald
  • Stephen
  • William

Female

  • Catherine
  • Elizabeth
  • Freda
  • Grace
  • Henrietta
  • Jennifer
  • Joan
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Petra
  • Sarah

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.