Show ContentsLeno History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Leno family name was first used by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. It is a name for someone who lived in the old lands of Leny, which were in the parish of Callander in Perth. The surname Leno belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Leno family

The surname Leno was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Leno family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leno research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1257, 1270, 1408 and 1550 are included under the topic Early Leno History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leno Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Leno has been spelled Lennie, Leny, Lenay, Lenny and others.

Early Notables of the Leno family

More information is included under the topic Early Leno Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Leno family

The cruelties suffered under the new government forced many to leave their ancient homeland for the freedom of the North American colonies. Those who arrived safely found land, freedom, and opportunity for the taking. These hardy settlers gave their strength and perseverance to the young nations that would become the United States and Canada. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name Leno: James and Patrick Lenny arrived in Philadelphia in 1845; James Lenny arrived in Philadelphia in 1871.


Contemporary Notables of the name Leno (post 1700) +

  • James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno (b. 1950), American stand-up comedian and television host
  • James Douglas Muir Leno (b. 1950), known as "Jay Leno", Emmy Award-winning American comedian and television host, who succeeded Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show in 1992
  • Mark Leno, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 2000, 2004 1
  • Dan Leno (1860-1904), English music hall comedian


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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