Surname Leamy - Meaning and Origin
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Leamy: What does the surname Leamy mean?
The last name Leamy has several possible origins and derivations. It is an Irish name, likely derived from the Gaelic phrase "O Laomhanta," which translates to "descendant of Laomhain" or "lover of an Irish poem." It is also likely derived from the Gaelic "O Floinn," meaning "descendant of the fair one." Another possibility is that the name is derived from the Gaelic "O Leamhnaigh" or "one who had a lameness."
A final possibility is that the name Leamy is a variation of the German surname "Lemeyer," which derives from a place near Göttingen. The place name of this location likely derives from the Old German word "leim," meaning “lime” or “light coloured clay.”
The surname Leamy is quite common in Ireland, and there are also many people with this name in Scotland and the U.S. There are also many other variations on this name, such as Lemy, Laimey, Laimy, and Lemmy.
No matter the origin of the surname, the name Leamy is likely to have been taken on by descendants of respected ancestors and is a testament to their legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisLeamy: Where does the name Leamy come from?
The last name Leamy is most commonly found in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In the Republic of Ireland, the most common counties where the name is found are Cork, Kilkenny, Mayo, and Wexford. In Northern Ireland, it is found most often in Belfast, Antrim, Down, and Londonderry. The United Kingdom is home to many Leamys, mostly from counties in England such as Essex, Surrey, and Yorkshire. In the United States, it is usually found in the northeastern states and in California.
The origins of the Leamy name are believed to date back to the 10th century in Ireland. It is of Gaelic origins and is derived from the personal name Ó Leamhnaigh. This would mean descendant of Leamhan, which is an old Gaelic personal name. The Leamy name is considered to be quite rare, no matter which region it is found in.
Due to the prevalence of the Irish diaspora, it is likely for users of the name to be found elsewhere in the world. Those with the last name are most likely descended from Irish immigrants who spread the name across the globe.
Today, many Leamys continue to live in the countries that have always been home to them as well as in newer countries. They continue to honor their Irish roots with this rare surname.
Variations of the surname Leamy
The surname Leamy has various spellings, variations, and derivatives, including:
* Lammay
* Lamy
* Limy
* Limey
* Lamme
* Laimey
* Leimy
* Leamie
* Lemme
* Leemey
* Lemy
* Lemey
* Leam
* Leyme
* Lemmie
The Irish surname Leamy is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name O Laomgha, which means 'descendant of Laomghán'. The Gaelic personal name Laomghán, is composed of the elements 'laoch' meaning 'hero', and 'maghain' meaning 'plain'. Leamy is also thought to be derived from a Connacht Sept known as O Meidigh, which likewise means 'descendant of Meidig'.
The name is found primarily in County Galway, Ireland. It is also localized in County Cork and County Mayo. Variations of the name are widespread in Northern Ireland Even today and are most common in the counties of Antrim, Londonderry and Fermanagh. In England the surname can also be found in the counties of Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire. In Scotland, it is mainly localized in Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.
As the variations of the name suggest, Leamy is a very ancient surname and a wide variety of forms have existed over the centuries. Today, due to the continuous creation of new surnames and the expiration of surnames, Leamy is found in many countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Leamy
- Mike Leamy: Mike Leamy is a member of the Dublin rock band The Coronas. He plays the rhythm guitar and has co-produced a number of their albums, including their latest, Trust The Wire.
- Jim Leamy: Jim Leamy is an actor and director, most notably known for acting in the Irish films Once and Sing Street. He has also directed the award-winning short film Last Night.
- Chris Leamy: Chris Leamy is an American musician who has written and produced for artists such as Jason Mraz, The Eagles, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, and Mario.
- Caitriona Leamy: Caitriona Leamy is an Irish actress whose onscreen work includes two popular BBC series, Death Comes to Pemberley and The Fall.
- Troy Leamy: Troy Leamy is an Australian actor and director whose credits include the films Swerve and Crossing Over.
- Casey Leamy: Casey Leamy is a Canadian content creator who gained popularity through her YouTube channel and blog centering around her lifestyle projects, including painting, travel, and cooking.
- Harry Leamy: Harry Leamy is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre back for Football League clubs including Grimsby Town and Darlington.
- Chris Leamy: Chris Leamy is a UK singer-songwriter who gained prominence as part of the original line-up of cabaret group Gerogey Porgey.
- Frank Leamy: Frank Leamy was an Irish sculptor who worked and lived in Dublin from the late 19th-century until his death in 1931. Some of his works can be found today in the National Gallery of Ireland.