Surname Leathwaite - Meaning and Origin
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Leathwaite: What does the surname Leathwaite mean?
The last name Leathwaite is an English topographic surname meaning "one who lived near a clearing in a forest". The name is derived from a combination of two Old English words: lēah, meaning "clearing" or "meadow", and waite, meaning "forest". As a result, Leathwaite literally translates into "forest clearing".
In terms of genealogical history, the surname Leathwaite is quite ancient. Records of the Leathwaite family can be found in the English counties of Lancashire and Durham as early as the 13th century. As the family name continued to spread, so too did its various spellings; variants of the name include Leatwaite, Leatt ward, Litwall, Leatward, and Lettwite, among others.
Leathwaite families have long been found in England, but they are now scattered throughout the world due to migration patterns. In the United States, for instance, the Leathwaite surname has been reported in forty of the fifty states. It is also present in countries as far away as Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
In conclusion, the last name Leathwaite is an English topographic surname derived from a combination of two Old English words. It has a long history in England, and today it is found in many other countries around the world due to migration patterns.
Order DNA origin analysisLeathwaite: Where does the name Leathwaite come from?
The surname Leathwaite is primarily found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern England. It likely originates from an Old English name that means “clearing by a gate.” It has been popular in its native region for centuries and is still one of the more common surnames in the area.
The highest concentrations of Leathwaites tend to be in the counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, Kent, and Surrey. There are also significant numbers of Leathwaites in other parts of the U.K., including South Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.
In addition to its presence in the U.K., the surname Leathwaite can also be found in many other countries. In the United States, for example, there are sizable numbers of Leathwaites in Pennsylvania, New York, and California. Smaller numbers are also found in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other parts of the world.
Overall, the surname Leathwaite is relatively common in the U.K., and has also spread throughout the Anglosphere and other parts of the world. From its likely origin in the U.K., it has become a global surname with a presence in many countries today.
Variations of the surname Leathwaite
The surname Leathwaite is of English origin and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Leathwaite is derived from the Old English “læthwaite”, which means “woodland clearing” or “cleared woodland”, and is derived from the elements “lath” which means “wood” or “forest” combined with “waite” which means “clearing”.
Some of the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin including the surname Leathwaite are Leath, Letha, Leatha, Leathawit, Lethgoe, Laythe, Laythwaite, Lait, Lathwayt, Lathwaite, Lethwayt, Lethwaide, Lethewayte, Lethwait, Lethwaite, Lethywayte, Leythewaite, Leythewyt, Leythewyte, and Leathwayte.
The Leathwaite spelling of the name appears mainly in Yorkshire and Lancashire, with other related names largely found in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumberland, Durham, and Westmorland.
Areas of the United Kingdom with the Leathwaite spelling of the surname include Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Devon, Dorset, and Suffolk.
Some other areas where the related surnames of the same origin surname can be found are Cumberland, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Worcestershire, and Oxfordshire.
The Leathwaite spelling of the surname follows the same pattern as other names such as Laythe, Laithwaite, Lethwaite, Lathe, Laythwait, Lethwiatt, Lethewait, Lethawite, Lethfive, Lithwayte, Leathwyat, Lathwayt, Leath Week and Lethewayte.
It is suggested that the surname Leathwaite derives from a place name near a hasty clearing in a wooded area, and is of topographical origin.
Famous people with the name Leathwaite
- Laura Leathwaite: an English television presenter, who rose to fame for presenting the BBC show Bargain Hunt.
- Jack Leathwaite: an Australian former tennis player who represented his country at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.
- Nick Leathwaite: an English professional rally driver.
- Percy Leathwaite: a former English professional cricketer.
- Carole Leathwaite: an English carpenter and furniture designer who gained recognition for her unique and modern designs.
- Gary Leathwaite: a British television director and producer known for his work on the crime drama series, The Bill.
- Rachel Leathwaite: a British-born EasyListening guitarist.
- Lorraine Leathwaite: an English actress best known for her role of Carol Fisher in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.
- Alan Leathwaite: an English former footballer who played as a defender.
- Heather Leathwaite: a British theatre and television actress, best known for roles in ‘The Bill’ and ‘Casualty’.