Surname Leser - Meaning and Origin

Leser: What does the surname Leser mean?

The last name Leser is of German and Swiss origin. The name likely originated as a nickname for an attentive listener. The literal meaning of the German word "leser" is "reader." Leser was also commonly an occupational name for someone who read out aloud or a scribe who wrote out official documents.

The oldest known record of the Leser name dates back to 1223, when a particular Leser family estate was documented in Lutare, Switzerland. By 1280, several Leser families had settled in the Swiss cantons of Appenzell and St. Gallen. During the 15th century the Leser name was found in various parts of Switzerland.

In Germany several Leser surnames can be traced to the 16th century. The earliest origin of the Leser name is unknown, but it is believed to have had some linguistic connection with the original Swiss Lesers.

As of the 21st century, the Leser name is still relatively uncommon. There are roughly 1,000 Leser living throughout Germany and the U.S. today. The Leser last name is primarily associated in Germany and Switzerland.

Many variations of the Leser surname exist, including Lasar, Leaser, Leassor, Leazer, Lesser, Leßer, Lescher, Leser, Leserger, Leserich, Leserlein, Leserl, Lesersdatter, Lessner, Losser, and Laßer.

Leser: Where does the name Leser come from?

The last name Leser is most common in Germany, where it ranks as the 530th most common last name. It is likely derived from the German word “lesen,” which means “to read.” Outside of Germany, Leser is relatively uncommon in most of Europe, with a few countries like Luxembourg and Austria having a small population of the name. However, the largest population of people with the name Leser outside of Germany is found in the United States.

It is believed that the Leser name first came to America at the end of the 19th century, when immigrants from Germany began to move to US. They mostly settled in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Wisconsin. Today, the last name Leser is found in high concentrations across the Midwest, especially in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota with a large German-American population. As of the 2000 Census, Leser was the 8,796th most common name in the US.

Despite its small population in the US, the last name Leser still holds a lot of meaning for its bearers. It is a reminder of the rich German culture and heritage that they brought with them to America, and of their ancestors’ long history in the old country.

Variations of the surname Leser

The surname Leser can have several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Lasser, which can be found across Europe, particularly in countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Other variants include Leszerc, Lassar, Lasser, Lesser and Lehser. The spelling Leser can be found in Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Croatia.

In Germany, the Leser surname can also be spelled as Leaser, Läser, Läßer, Lößer, and Leßer. It can also be found as Lesserer in Austria, Löser in Switzerland, Lesar in Croatia, Lešer in Czech Republic, and Leserovic in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Variants also exist for the spelling Leser in the United Kingdom, where it can be found as Leser, Lazar, Lasher, Leazer, Lazer or Lasar. Lastly, in Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden and Norway, the surname is sometimes found as Leserus, and in Poland, it can also be spelled as Lazer or Leserowicz.

So, in conclusion, the surname Leser can have many different variants, as well as spellings, and surnames of the same origin from different countries.

Famous people with the name Leser

• Mike Leser: Structural Engineer and Professor at the University of Michigan
• Steven Leser: American Actor, known for his roles in films such as Mystic Pizza, Roxanne, and Singles
• Helmut Leser: German engineer and innovator, often called the father of modern furnace design
• Gordon Leser: American civil engineer and inventor, known for developing the Leser Airplane
• Martin Leser: German poet, novelist, and playwright, best known for his children's books The House of White Walls and The Flower Thief
• Edward Leser: Austrian-Australian economist and historian, known for his research on different economic systems
• Kurt Leser: American composer, arranger and pedagogue, known for his works on jazz and pop music
• Noelle Leser: American fitness model and entrepreneur, known for her fashion and lifestyle blog
• Wilhelm Leser: German pharmaceutical chemist, known for his contributions to pharmacopoeia and toxicology
• Emil Leser: Germanocardiologist and medical researcher, known for his research on the physiology and pharmacology of the cardiovascular system

Other surnames

Lesemeister