Surname Leonards - Meaning and Origin
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Leonards: What does the surname Leonards mean?
The last name Leonards is of German origin. It is a habitational name, derived from any of several places in Germany named Leonhard, from the Old High German elements leo, meaning "lion," and hard, meaning "strong, brave, hardy." Leonards was likely best known as a family surname throughout much of Europe and was especially popular in Germany, likely for its reference to the lion, which was seen as a symbol of strength and courage.
Leonards began to emigrate to other countries in the mid-1700s and was especially common among Dutch and other European Protestant populations fleeing religious persecution or seeking economic improvement. Many of them settled in America, likely seeking the same opportunities offered by other immigrants. In the United States, the name Leonards is most prevalent in the south and midwest.
Today, those bearing the last name Leonards are a part of a large, diverse group of Americans descended from immigrants of German, Dutch, and other European origins. This shared heritage, combined with the strong symbolic meaning of the name, create a rich history that has become a part of each Leonards’ identity. Those with the last name Leonards are part of a proud community, united by ties to their ancestors and their shared sense of pride in their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisLeonards: Where does the name Leonards come from?
The last name Leonards is most commonly found in countries with German heritage, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is also common in areas with strong German immigration in the past centuries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and Brazil.
In the United States, Leonards is the 8,012th most common last name, with an estimated 14,707 people carrying the name. Most ancestries that are associated with Leonards in the states are German, Dutch, French, and English. The states with the highest population of people having the last name are Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina, Indiana, and West Virginia.
In Germany, Leonards is the 522nd most common last name, estimated to exist in 52,754 people. The German states with the highest concentration of Leonards are Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Berlin, and Hamburg.
In the Netherlands, Leonards is considered an archaic spelling and it is estimated that only around 500 people currently use the name. It is mostly found in the southern region states of Limburg, North Brabant, and Zeeland, as this is where many of the original Leonards families immigrated from Germany.
Overall, Leonards is a surname that has remained relatively common in areas with a strong German past.
Variations of the surname Leonards
The surname Leonards is a patronymic surname that originated from the given name Leonard. The spelling can vary based on the language it originates from with variants being spelled as Leonards, Lienaards, Leonhard, Lienhard, Leonharde, Lehnaerts, Leonardes, Lennards, Leninards, Leunards, Leanards, and Leoards.
The surname Leonards is of an Anglo-Saxon origin and can also be found in Belgium, and Canada. The spelling variations such as Leonhard originate from German, Dutch, and Swiss variants. In Germany, the same surname is also spelt as Leonhard or Lienhard, which originated from the Middle High German word Leinhard, meaning 'lion-strong'.
Variations of the surname Leonards can be found in other areas such as Slavic countries like Poland, where it is spelt as Leonowicz and Lenowicz. The variations in France, where it is spelt as Leonnard, Leonarde, and Lienard, originated from the Latin word Leonardus.
Surnames that evolved from the same origin as Leonards include Leonidas, Leondis, Lentz, Lennard, Lenners, Leonardson, Leenarts, Lenert, Lenhart, Lennerts, Lennes, Leonhardts, Leonardini, and Leonardelli.
Leonard is a popular given name and surname across various cultures and it is still popular today, with the spelling and variants of the surname offering a unique insight into the origin of their ancestors.
Famous people with the name Leonards
- Bob Newhart: American comedian, actor, and producer
- Ira H. Leonards: American lawyer, judge, and politician
- Tim Downie: British actor
- Louis J. Leonards: American politician
- Jocelyn Bell Burnell: British astrophysicist
- Julius H. Leonards: American politician
- Thomas Leonards: Malawian cricketer
- Curd Jürgens: German actor
- Eileen Brennan: American actress
- Thomas J. Leonards: American politician
- Carl Leonards: German swimmer
- Luis Leonards: Argentine footballer
- Alfredo Leonards: Argentine cyclist
- Joseph Francis Leonards: American politician
- Mikey Leonards: American mature film actor
- John C. Leonards: American theologian
- Natalia Leonards: Russian model
- Kenneth Leonards: Belizean painter
- Lianne Leonards: Dutch actress
- Paul Leonards: Belgian politician.