Surname Legge - Meaning and Origin

Legge: What does the surname Legge mean?

The surname Legge is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the old Norse term "leggja," meaning "to lay down" or "to lay to rest." This name was often given to an individual who was known as a trustworthy person, particularly someone responsible for laying out goods or merchandise for sale, essentially a trader or merchant. Alternatively, it could refer to someone who performed the role of laying out the dead, an undertaker. As with many surnames, it could also be geographical, given to someone living near a notable ridge, derived from the Old English term "hrycg". This name is prevalent in regions with a history of Viking, Saxon or Norman influence, such as the United Kingdom, and was historically mainly based in Devon. The most famous bearer of this name is probably James Legge, a 19th-century Scottish sinologist who was known for his English translations of Chinese philosophical and religious texts.

Legge: Where does the name Legge come from?

The surname Legge is derived from Norman French origin and primarily found among Western European communities. The term "Legge" literally translates to "law" in Anglo-Norman French and was often given as a nickname to people who were involved in legal professions.

The name Legge came to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066, carried by the followers of William the Conqueror. Later on, it spread to other parts of the British Empire, and subsequently, to the rest of the anglophone world due to colonization and migration.

However, it's important to note that the name could also have Germanic origins. In medieval German, the term "Legge" was used to refer to a person who lived or worked in a place where battles were fought, suggesting that it may also have been a topographic name for someone who lived near such a site.

As of today, the name is still common among populations in England and other English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Australia, and Canada. It also has a presence in Norway due to historic ties between England and Scandinavia.

Variations of the surname Legge

The surname Legge appears to have several variations and related surnames due to regional differences, phonetic spellings and translations. These variations can include Legg, Leggs, Legges, Leg, Ledge, Ledges, Lege, Leghes, Legh, Leggey, and Ligg.

Regional variations often include prefixes that were used to indicate 'son of' such as McLegge or O'Legge. Furthermore, there are several related surnames that originate from the same root words as Legge. These names can include Leman, Lehman, or Lehmann, which all have origins in the Old English 'Leah', meaning forest clearing, and 'mann', meaning man.

In Germanic regions, the surname could transform into Bein or Beinen, which translate to 'leg'. In French regions, it could transform into Jambe or Jambes.

It's also important to note that surnames often changed over time to match the phonetic pronunciation of the name depending on the accent or language of the region. Hence, migration and regional dialects have played a significant role in the varied spellings and transformations of the surname Legge.

However, it's crucial to remember that these are potential variations and there may be specific historical or familial reasons for variations in spelling and pronunciation that are unique to individual lineages.

Famous people with the name Legge

• George Legge, 1st Baron Dartmouth (1647–1731): English politician, MP for Plymouth and Portsmouth, Secretary of State for the Northern Department and Secretary at War during the reign of Charles II.
• Andrew Legge (1836–1900): British Liberal politician who served as a Member of Parliament and solicitor.
• William Legge, 10th Earl of Dartmouth (born 1958): Conservative Party politician and currently was Minister of State for Trade and Investment between 2010 and 2016.
• Fanny Legge (1874–1947): English mathematician and writer.
• Chris Legge (born 1964): British Conservative politician and Member of Parliament for Ludlow since 2005.
• Gus Legge (1890–1948): Canadian politician and mayor of Windsor, Ontario.
• Caroline Legge (1857–1930): Scottish suffragette, known as Mistress of Waddell Memorial Hall, Llanelli.
• Thomas Legge (1793–1873): Anglican Bishop of Oxford.
• Vivienne Legge (born 1948): Australian actress, known for her work in films such as Don's Party and Tommy.
• Robert Legge (1930–2002): Canadian filmmaker and producer who wrote and directed several films in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Other surnames

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