Surname Lasseter - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Lasseter: What does the surname Lasseter mean?
The last name Lasseter is of French origin, derived from the French word “laissez-terre” meaning “leave the land”. The first recorded use of this surname dates back to the 16th century, when landowners would grant parcels of land to their tenants, which would then be worked and the produce shared between the grantor and the tenant.
Today, people with the Lasseter surname can trace their ancestors to many parts of the world. In the United States, the surname is particularly common in the South, where it could be derived from an ancestor of French Huguenot origin. In the United Kingdom, there are records of the name persisting in Scotland since at least the 17th century, and it is also common in Ireland, where records date back to the 16th century.
The Lasseter surname can also be found in other countries, particularly in former French colonies. In Africa, it is adopted by descendants of French settlers and colonisers, while in the French Caribbean, particularly in Reunion and Martinique, it is adopted by French-Creole people whose ancestors were brought to those islands as slaves by the French in the 18th century.
The meaning “leave the land” behind it would suggest that those who bear the Lasseter name come from a long line of independent, self-reliant people, who weren't afraid to set off and leave the comfort of their family and homeland in search of a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisLasseter: Where does the name Lasseter come from?
The last name Lasseter is a relatively uncommon name today, with mostly isolated pockets of people carrying the name.
The name is most common in the United States, originating in Louisiana. FamilySearch census records demonstrate that the surname has moved throughout the southern states, particularly Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia.
Within the US, the Lasseter surname is most heavily concentrated in Georgia and Texas today. Georgia counties like DeKalb and Troup have the greatest population of individuals with the name Lasseter. In Texas, counties like Brazoria, Harris, and Lee are some of the areas where the name is most common.
Other pockets of individuals with the last name Lasseter are found in Florida and North Carolina, as well as other parts of the US. Outside of the US, the countries with the highest concentration of individuals with the name Lasseter include Canada, Nigeria, Germany, and the United Kingdom, according to recent data.
The Lasseter last name is not common in other areas of the world, suggesting a strong connection to the southeastern US.
Variations of the surname Lasseter
The surname Lasseter has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants of the surname include Lassiter, Lasiter, Lassitre, Lassetter, Lasster, Laister, Laster, and Lasater.
These variant spellings come from the French name L'Astre and the German name L'Aster, both of which mean “the star” and have been used as a surname by French and German families since the 16th century.
In some parts of the United States, the spelling Lasater has become predominant. This spelling is also found in Scotland, and may be related to the ancestral followings of Protestant Scottish prisoners who were deported to Ireland during the 16th century.
Other variations of the surname include Laster, which may originate in Germany, and Lasterie, a French form of the surname. This spelling is found in some parts of the United States, and is believed to be derived from the Spanish name Lasterra.
In addition to these variant spellings, some other surnames of similar origin include Lastier, Lastera, Lastor, Lamster, Lastra, and Lastman. All of these share the same origin with Lasseter, and were likely derived from the original French and German names.
Famous people with the name Lasseter
- John Lasseter: American animator, director, screenwriter, producer, and executive in the animation industry. He is one of the principal founders of Pixar Animation Studios and led its creative team for over two decades, developing the studio into one of the most successful and acclaimed animation studios in the world.
- Joey Lasseter: Guitarist and singer-songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated high school in 2020 and already has a substantial following
- Ben Lasseter: an expert in modern technology and international development, with experience in public policy, personal finance, and financial risk analysis. He is the author of the book "The Blockchain Revolution: How Technology Will Revolutionize the Future of Business."
- Eric Lasseter: founder of the search engine CaffeinatedSearch.com, a former computer software engineer, and the co-founder of the Christian rock band Nemesis.
- Carmen Lasseter: Grammy Award-nominated artist whose music has been featured in film, television, and advertisements. She is also a graduate of Berklee College of Music.
- Vivian Lasseter: visual effects supervisor in Hollywood who has worked on major films such as The Hunger Games, The Avengers, Transformers, and Star Trek.
- Graham Lasseter: actor who has appeared in television shows such as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Shameless.
- Elizabeth Lasseter: an award-winning documentary filmmaker and video producer, best known for her films about Indigenous peoples of North America.
- Jack Lasseter: aviation history writer and World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army Air Force.
- Steve Lasseter: professional race car driver who has competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series.