Surname Leek - Meaning and Origin

Leek: What does the surname Leek mean?

The last name Leek is of Anglo-Saxon and Dutch origins. In the Anglo-Saxon context, it is derived from the Old English word "leac", which means leek, a type of vegetable. The name was originally given to someone who lived by a field of leeks or a person who sold leeks. Therefore, this last name is classified as an occupational or topographic surname.

In the Dutch context, Leek is a toponymic surname, meaning it's derived from a place name. There's a town called Leek in Groningen, the Netherlands. People might have adopted the name of this town as their surname.

Despite having differing origins, both meanings relate to a person's association with a location or occupation. Therefore, it is impossible to determine the exact origin of a person's last name as 'Leek' without investigating their personal family history.

Leek: Where does the name Leek come from?

The surname Leek is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating from the Old Norse "Lax" or Old English "leac" which translates to "Leek". It was originally a topographic name for someone who lived near a field of leeks or onion-like plants. The surname could also be related to a place name, such as the town of Leek in Staffordshire, England.

Initial examples of this family name include Philip de Leke in the 1250 Assize Court records of Staffordshire, and William le Leek in the 1334 Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire.

As with many surnames, the Leeks have spread across the world due to migration and colonization. While it remains somewhat common in parts of England, the surname Leek can also be found in countries like the United States, Australia, and Canada. In fact, it is most common today in the United States, followed by England and Australia. Despite its spread, the Leek surname is relatively rare, ranking as the 23,611th most common surname worldwide.

Variations of the surname Leek

The surname Leek has multiple variants and possible origins, leading to an assortment of associated surnames and spellings. Some of these variants include Leak, Leake, Leekes, Leaks, Aleeke and Leckie, mainly deriving from English and Scottish backgrounds.

Origins are predominantly from the English town of Leek in Staffordshire, or the Old Norse "lekr", meaning stream. Those with this name could be associated with waters or rivers.

In Scotland, the surname might stem from Leckie as a locational surname from Leckie in Stirlingshire. Spellings such as Leakey and Leake can also be found among Scottish family trees. This name can also come from the Gaelic "Mac an Laoich" meaning son of the hero.

Surname derivations also include occupational or descriptive origins. In some cases, Leek might come from the occupation of a grower or seller of leeks. In the Middle Ages it was common to have occupational surnames.

Remember that variations in surname spellings could have been the result of a number of factors, such as regional accent influences, mistaken transcription, or intentional alteration. Therefore, it's important to remain open to possibilities when researching genealogy.

Famous people with the name Leek

• Emma Leeks: A former professional soccer player, Emma Leeks represented New Zealand internationally from 1997-2006.
• Amanda Leek: A well-known American actress and singer, Amanda Leek has starred in multiple award-winning films and television shows.
• Stuart Leek: An English cricketer, Stuart Leek played for England and Northamptonshire between 1991 and 2001.
• Hugh Leek: A British political commentator, Hugh Leek has been frequently seen on BBC News debating various issues.
• Simon Leek: An Australian voice actor, Simon Leek has voiced numerous popular animated characters in films and television shows.
• Mark Leek: An American painter and sculptor, Mark Leek has exhibited his work in museums around the world.
• Norman Leek: A British Second World War pilot, Norman Leek flew for the Royal Air Force and received multiple awards for his service.
• David Leek: A renowned genetics professor, David Leek is a professor at Stanford University and studies environmental aspects of plant genetics.
• Louise Leek: A famous Canadian author, Louise Leek has written numerous novels and short stories.
• Ryan Leek: An award-winning songwriter and producer, Ryan Leek has worked with many of the biggest names in the music industry.

Other surnames

LeeLeebLeechLeedahlLeedeLeederLeedesLeedsLeehanLeehyLeeleLeemanLeemingLeenLeenersLeeperLeerLeereyLeerhuberLeermannLeeryLeesLeeseLeesmeisterLeesonLeestLeetchLeethLeetherLeeuw