Surname Least - Meaning and Origin

Least: What does the surname Least mean?

The last name Least is derived from an Old English word, meaning "small" or "tiny." This would suggest that the individuals bearing this surname originated from a "smaller" or unimportant family. The surname may even be a nickname given to a person who was considered to be very "small" or "little," suggesting that the name may have originally been an insult or a term of endearment.

The Least surname can most likely be traced back to the aristocratic families of the Middle Ages who adopted the name to keep their line of descent distinct. These individuals would have been related to a larger family of nobles, and were often granted land or titles in order to increase their influence and power. As a result, the surname provided a way to separate themselves and distinguish themselves from the rest of the population.

The Least surname has been found throughout England, Ireland, and even Scotland for centuries. It may also have been taken to the United States by immigrants from these countries. Today, the surname is still found in various parts of the world. While the original meaning of the name is no longer known, it still gives an indication of where the family originally came from and what kind of people they were.

Least: Where does the name Least come from?

The last name Least is a peculiar one, perhaps deriving from a French or Dutch word. It is not particularly common today, as far as anyone can recall, but it is still found in certain places.

The most likely place to find someone with the last name Least is in the United States. It is found fairly evenly throughout the U.S., but is more concentrated in the East Coast. It may also be found more concentrated in the Midwest and South in areas such as Texas and Florida. Some people with the last name could also be found in the Philippines, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia or the Pacific.

Least is an uncommon name today, and is a relic of a time gone by. It was likely a name taken on by immigrants at some point, or altered from an existing family name in order to sound more exotic. Such a name could have its roots in one of many cultures, and its ultimate origin may be difficult to determine.

The last name Least is certainly an uncommon one in this day and age, but it is still present in many places around the world. It may not be a large family, but those who have it are surely proud of their unique heritage.

Variations of the surname Least

The surname Least is a spelling variant that derives from the Anglo-Saxon name Lyst, which means 'pleasant'. It is a relatively common name with numerous variants and spelling variations. Variants of the surname Least include Last, Least, Lyst, Leister, List, Lister, Lyster and many more.

The given name Least also appears in the records of England dating back to the year 1230, and is derived from the Old English word 'Liest', meaning a patch or mark of ground.

Other spelling variations of the surname include Last, Lyst, Leister, List, Lister, Lyster, and Lyste (Old English). Many of these variants are still used today; however, the most common spelling is Last. Some of the variants also serve to remind us of an old fashion pronunciation, as Leest is also known to be the old English variant of Last.

The origin of the surname is also linked to many other similar sounding surnames like Leastcliffe, Lesson, Lester, and Lesson.

The surname Least is also known to be linked to Germanic and Scandinavian variants such as Lest, Leite, Lis, Lest, Liese, etc.

Finally, variants of the surname Least can also be found in other countries including Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Russia. In these countries, spellings of the surname may differ slightly.

Famous people with the name Least

• Diane Least Heat Moon: American travel writer and author
• Denise Leestma: American astronaut and professor
• Richard Least Thompson: American artist
• Paul Least Heat Moon: American composer
• Rich Leestma: American gallerist and collector
• Mark Least: American athletic director
• Bill Least Heat Moon: American philosopher
• Todd Leestma: American space professor
• William Least Heat Moon: American Author
• Denton Least Heat Moon: American commendatore
• Katerina Leestma: German fashion designer
• Jami Leestma: American astronaut
• Allen Leestma: American Olympic gold medalist
• Ken Leestma: American astronaut
• Elisha Leestma: Dutch figure skater
• Kevin Least: American television producer
• Richard Leestma: Canadian chef and restaurateur
• Lisa Leestma: American Actress
• Damon Least: Canadian film editor
• Samantha Least: British singer-songwriter

Other surnames

LeaseLeaskLeason