Surname Leehy - Meaning and Origin

Leehy: What does the surname Leehy mean?

The last name Leehy is an anglicized version of the Irish surname "Ó Laocha." It comes from the words "ó" meaning "male descendant," and "Laocha" which means "warrior."

This surname originated in Ireland and is derived from the ancient Gaelic people known as the Laocha, or Laochru, which translated to “warriors” in English. They were warriors of Ulster and were said to be the most powerful clan in the area.

In Irish culture, a name evolved from a person's occupation, physical characteristics, or even personality traits. As such, Leehy can be presumed to be a name that was in some way associated with the warrior clans from which it originated.

The Leehy's themselves are an old and proud family that can trace their heritage back for centuries. Many of them still live in Ireland today, having successfully passed on their lineage, traditions, and customs through the generations. Some have immigrated abroad but have made sure to keep in touch with their kin back home.

The Leehy surname has been spread across the globe, from North America and Australia to Europe, Asia, and even Africa. To this day, the surname can still be found in many places around the world, symbolizing the resilience and strength of the Leehy Clan.

Leehy: Where does the name Leehy come from?

The last name Leehy is most commonly found in the United States, and particularly along the eastern seaboard. There is also a high concentration of Leehy families in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. Additionally, there is a small number of individuals with the last name Leehy in Australia, Ireland, England, and Canada.

The vast majority of individuals, who bear the last name Leehy, can trace their ancestry back to the Irish-American immigrants who first settled in the United States in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. During this time, many Irish immigrants adopted the surnames of their hometowns or regions. In the case of Leehy, it is believed to have originated from the Lee or Lea River in County Cork, Ireland.

Today, the Leehy name is still predominantly concentrated in the eastern United States and in Massachusetts, particularly in Middlesex County and Suffolk County. Additionally, with the growth of the internet and genealogy sites, it is possible to find more individuals with the Leehy name in locations around the world.

From the 1800s to present day, the Leehy family has long standing ties to history, immigration, and travel. The family name brings with it a unique cultural identity and set of traditions that continue to be passed down from generation to generation.

Variations of the surname Leehy

Leehy is a very uncommon surname which is mostly found in Ireland and England and it is believed to be of Gaelic origin.

The variants of the name Leehy include: Leehey, Leehe, Leehoe, Lehy, Lehey, Lehe, Lehoe, Leahey, Leahy, Leahoe, Lihey, Lihe, and Lihoe.

The spellings of the name are also slightly varied such as: Lee hie, Lee hi, Leehie, Leehi, Leehye, Lehie, Lehhi, Lehy, Lehye, Leaheye, Leahye, Leighie, Leighi, Leighye, Liheye, and Lihye.

Some of the surnames which have a similar origin as the Leehy surname are Laughlin, Lehane, Lehman, Leman, Lehrer, LeMare, and Lhommedieu.

In summary, Leehy is a rare surname which is mostly found in Ireland and England and is of Gaelic origin. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Leehy include Leehey, Leehe, Leehoe, Lehy, Lehey, Lehe, Lehoe, Leahey, Leahy, Leahoe, Lihey, Lihe, Lihoe, Leehie, Leehi, Leehye, Lehie, Lehhi, Lehye, Leaheye, Leahye, Leighie, Leighi, Leighye, Liheye, and Lihye as well as Laughlin, Lehane, Lehman, Leman, Lehrer, LeMare, and Lhommedieu.

Famous people with the name Leehy

• Jandra Leehy: Jandra Leehy is an American sports anchor and reporter for NFL Network.
• Ari Leehy: Ari Leehy is a mental health author and speaker based in Israel.
• Larry Leehy: Larry Leehy is an award-winning Independent Entrepreneur and Founder of MIIXBOX, an innovative e-commerce platform powering hundreds of independent businesses.
• Mark Leehy: Mark Leehy is an American singer, songwriter and rock singer who is popular among alternative rock fans.
• Peter Leehy: Peter Leehy is a New Zealand musician and actor who has starred in multiple musicals and television series.
• Bob Leehy: Bob Leehy is an American basketball coach and former player who was recently named head basketball coach at Northeastern University after a successful playing career at Villanova.
• David Leehy: David Leehy is an actor and producer best known for his roles in American drama television series including Vampire Diaries and Huge.
• John Leehy: John Leehy is a British artist and photographer best known for his work in the fields of negative space, stylized portraiture, and nature photography.
• Robert Leehy: Robert Leehy is an American banker who is currently the CEO of Leehy Financial Group, a Chicago-based financial services firm.
• Rachel Leehy: Rachel Leehy is an American radio and television presenter, best known for her work in the travel industry with her Destination Today program airing on Sirius XM.

Other surnames

Leehan