SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "L"

[Lacy], [Lambert], [Lan], [Lane], [Lang], [Langdon], [Langley], [Lavender], [Lawrence], [Laws], [Lawton], [Leach], [Leasowe], [Lederer], [Lee], [Leech], [Legh], [Leigh], [Leighton], [Leonard], [Leyton], [Lewis], [Linfield], [Lister], [Little], [Livesey], [Livingstone], [Llewelyn], [Lloyd], [Long], [Lord], [Lorimer], [Lovell], [Lucas], [Luke], [Lynch], 

LACY - Members of the de Lacy family were reported to have been part of the Norman forces of William the Conqueror who defeated the Anglo Saxon army of King Harold at Hastings in 1066. The Lacy surname is said to come from the place called Lassy in Calvados.

LAMBERT - The suffix "bert" is thought to be Anglo Saxon in origin

LAN - Thought to have originated from the Cornish word meaning "churchyard" and may be a possible origin for a number of modern family names carrying this 3 letter regional prefix.

LANE - A locative family name which identified a person from a specific geographical location, as in "from the lane" or "of the lane", the walkways which lay between field boundaries or enclosures.

LANG - Thought to originate from the German word "Lange" which described a "Long" person and either form is equally used as a family name. Likely to be the root of variants including Langely, Laing etc

LANGDON - In common with the above, the modern day family name is made up of the German word "Lange" meaning long and "Dun" denoting a hill or mound and literally means "long hill"

LANGLEY - Similarly, Langley is made up of "Lange" meaning long and "Leah" denoting a clearing, so the modern name might derive from the location of a "long clearing".

LAVENDER - The family name is said to originate from an occupational title for a "washer woman", who presumably used "Lavender" or other such fragrances to scent household materials? If this is the true root for the surname, then it is fairly unusual, in that the name was first adopted through the female line, rather than the usual male. 

LAWRENCE - Possibly a derivation of the first name Laurence or Laurenceson which is thought to have its early roots in the Roman name Laurentius. An Archbishop of that name was recorded in 616AD

LAWS - Thought to have originated as either a contracted form of the forename Lawrence, or possibly from the word "Hlaw" which identified a hill or mound, which lay within a specific locality and which an individual was associated with.

LAWTON - In common with the above, the modern name might owe its foundation to "Hlaw" a hill or mound and "Tun" the word for an enclosed settlement, identifying a settlement which sat on a hill within a specific area.

LEACH - A medieval title for a medic or physician who commonly bled people with leeches o try and cure all manner of ailments, believing that many illnesses were caused by "Bad Blood". Other variants of the name include Leech and Leche.

LEASOWE - Derived from an early Anglo Saxon word to describe a type of land. The "Lea" prefix is thought to denote a clearing in an overgrown area. Alternatively used as "ley" when employed as a suffix. The "owe" suffix may represent a contraction of the Anglo Saxon word "Lowe" meaning a mound or hill. Leasowe is a place name in North West England.

LEDERER - The German word for a "Leather Worker" or "Tanner" and alternatively called "Lederman" the name probably came to Britain with European migrants or invaders.

LEE - The modern name is simply a variation of the word "Leah" or "Lea" describing a cleared area of land and commonly used as a suffix when spelled "Ly" or "Ley". As a family name, it no doubt attached itself to people that lived in or near such cleared areas of ground.

LEECH - The name possibly originates from the medieval period when physicians commonly used "leeches" as a cure for a wide range of illnesses, particularly amongst the wealthier and more influential families. Consequently such medical practitioners gained the personal suffix of "the leech" which has varied over time to include Leach and Leche

LEGH - The family name is thought to originate from a place called High Legh in Cheshire which was a Saxon owned and held manor prior to the Norman Conquests. Following William's victory at Hastings such Anglo Saxon lands were seized by the new administration, with High Legh being given over to one of the Conqueror's leading supporters Gilbert Venables. One of the most notable members of the Legh family was Sir Piers Legh who was a leading supporter of the English monarch Richard II who was executed by the forces of the royal usurper Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV) at Chester's historic Norman castle.

LEIGH - Continental name thought to have been introduced with the military forces of William the Conqueror in 1066.

LEIGHTON - Thought to be derived from a mixture of "Leigh" and "Ton" there was a famous English smith called Leighton who was working during the 14th Century. Alternatively, the family name might originate from an occupational term for a "GARDENER".

LEONARD - As a forename, Leonard is thought to have existed from the medieval period and denotes someone who is, as bold as a Lion. The "Leo" suffix being synonymous with the cat. Over time this first name has been adopted as a family name, possibly by identifying a father and son.

LEYTON - The "Ley" would generally be used as a suffix, from the word "ley" or "lea" meaning a "cleared area of land". The Old English suffix "ton" indicates a "house" or "small settlement".

LEWIS - Thought to be an English variation of the Welsh name Llewelyn and also connected to the specifically continental names Louis and Louise, both of which have been anglicized over time.

LINFIELD - The prefix "Lin" is thought to originate from the Viking Norse word for "Flax", which forms the basis for the modern day word "Linen". The "field" suffix is self explanatory.

LISTER - The family name is said to have originated from an alternative occupational title for a DYER who worked within the early cloth industry.

LITTLE - The modern surname is thought to have originated from a descriptive term for a particular individual which might have helped identify them from a relative or neighbour with the same first name. Consequently, a John who was smaller in stature than a similarly called male relative might well be called Little John, a descriptive name which was later transposed to become John Little. The same sort of origins are thought to apply for the surname Young(er).

LIVESEY - The name is thought to have its roots in the Norse words "Hlif" meaning a shelter and "Ey" denoting an island and almost certainly began as a place name, which became associated with the people that lived there

LIVINGSTONE - Perhaps most commonly associated with the town in Scotland

LLEWELYN - Historically used as both a forename and surname by Welsh families, including Royal Princes of the principality. Thought to derive from the words "Llwy" meaning "leader" and "Eilun" which means "image". Alternatively, it has been suggested that the name originates from the Welsh word "Llew" meaning "Lion".

LLOYD - Suggested to originate from the Welsh word "Llyd" meaning "Grey Brown" or alternatively as "one with grey hair"

LONG - Possibly originating from the Germanic word "Lange" describing someone who was tall or "long" and obviously started off as being a descriptive term which attached itself to tall individuals.

LORD - Perhaps derived from those who were in service "to the Lord" of the Manor, rather than being attributed solely to those of noble birth.

LORIMER - A medieval tradesman whose occupational title attached itself to him and his family. A Lorimer was thought to have produced the metalwork for horses "tack", including bits, buckles and stirrups, etc.

LOVELL - The surname is thought to have originated with the French word "Lou" meaning wolf-like (as in Lupine) and perhaps describing someone who was underhand and/or dangerous.

LUCAS - Possibly a derivation of the forename Luke, which is shown below.

LUKE - Biblical name which possibly came to Britain with early Christian missionaries, it is more commonly used as a first name, but occasionally has been adopted as a family name.

LYNCH - Typically associated with an Irish/Gaelic origin, the modern day name is thought to derive from the forename "Loingseach" which is associated with people exiled overseas including mariners, sailors or seamen.

DOES YOUR LAND OR PROPERTY CONTAIN HIDDEN, LOST OR UNDISCOVERED TREASURES? CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Produced and maintained by Phillip E Jones @ Mobile 07756 693258 Text: 07914 189032

Mail Contact: 3 Riverside Park, Sealand, Deeside, Flintshire, CH5 2JR