Leger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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France

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The prestigious French surname Leger is a proud sign of a rich and dynamic ancestry. The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in France were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. As well as the names of the saints of the Christian Church, many of the most common French surnames are derived from personal names of Germanic origin. The surname Leger is derived from the Old German personal name Leodegar, meaning people spear.

Early Origins of the Leger family

The surname Leger was first found in Burgundy (French: Bourgogne), an administrative and historical region of east-central France

Early History of the Leger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leger research. Another 41 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1594, 1615, 1631, 1640, 1652, 1684, 1686, 1734 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Leger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leger Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Leger, Léger, Liogier, Légier, Legier, Legerat, Légerat, Legeret, Légeret, Legeron, Légeron, Legere and many more.

Early Notables of the Leger family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Antoine I Léger, a theologian born in 1594. Antoine II, his son, was a protestant pastor. Born in Geneva in 1652, Antoine II was pastor at a parish in the country around Geneva, and in 1684 he became the town pastor. In 1686 he was named professor of philosophy, and was successful in this career for twenty-four years. Michel Léger, his son, was also a successful...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leger World Ranking

In the United States, the name Leger is the 3,483^rd most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Leger is ranked the 447^th most popular surname with an estimated 10,623 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Leger is the 458^th popular surname. 3 France ranks Leger as 193^rd with 17,322 people. 4

Leger migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Leger Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Leger, who landed in Virginia in 1664 5

Leger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Joseph Leger, who landed in South Carolina in 1755 5
Francois Leger, who arrived in Connecticut in 1763 5
Angelique Legar, (nee Pinet), aged 44, French settler traveling aboard the ship "Le Bon Papa" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 29th July 1785 5
Mr. Louis Leger, (b. 1766), aged 19, French sailor traveling aboard the ship "Le Bon Papa" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 29th July 1785 6
Mr. Jean Leger, (b. 1770), aged 15, French sailor traveling aboard the ship "Le Bon Papa" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 29th July 1785 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Leger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jean Leger, who arrived in Louisiana in 1805-1809 5
Urbin Leger, who landed in Mississippi in 1849 5
Jacob Leger, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1866 5

Leger migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Leger Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

César Léger married in Quebec in 1644
Cesar Leger, son of Jean and Marie, who married Marguerite Bénard, daughter of Denys and Marie, in Quebec on 26th August 1647 7
Maurice Leger, who arrived in Montreal in 1653
Maurice Leger, aged 16, who landed in Montreal in 1653
Morice Leger, who arrived in Montreal in 1653
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Leger Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Pierre Leger, son of Pierre and Marguerite, who married Jeanne Boilard, daughter of Jean and Jeanne, in Quebec on 15th May 1706 7
Pierre Leger, son of Pierre and Louise, who married Anne-Marguerite Fortier, daughter of Étienne and Marguerite, in Quebec on 7th January 1711 7
François Léger married in Port-Royal in 1714
Jacques Leger, son of Jacques and Anne-Madeleine, who married Anne Amirault, daughter of François and Marie, in Port-Royal, Acadia on 12th January 1717 7
Jean Leger, son of François and Anne, who married Marguerite Marchand, daughter of Jacques and Marguerite, in Quebec on 11th December 1726 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Leger (post 1700) +

Omer Léger (1931-2023), American-born Canadian merchant and politician, born in Gardner, Massachusetts
Walter “Walt” J. Leger III, American politician, Speaker pro tempore of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Omer Léger (b. 1931), American-born, Canadian merchant and politician
Richard "Dick" Leger (1925-1999), American Square Dance Caller known as the 'Man with the Guitar', inducted into the International Square Dance Hall of Fame in 1978
Louis Léger (1843-1923), French writer and pioneer in Slavic studies
André Léger (1896-1963), French racing cyclist in the 1929 Tour de France
Joseph Fernand Henri Léger (1881-1955), French painter, sculptor, and filmmaker
Joseph Ernest Roger Leger (1919-1965), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey player who played 187 games
Nicole Léger (b. 1955), Canadian politician and the Member of the National Assembly of Quebec
Marcel Léger (1930-1993), Canadian politician, supporter of Quebec sovereignty, and founder of the polling firm Leger Marketing
... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)