Leonard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

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There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. Leonard originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Leannain, which is possibly derived from the word leann, which denotes a cloak. Another possible derivation is from the word leanan, which means paramour.

Early Origins of the Leonard family

The surname Leonard was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Leonard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leonard research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leonard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leonard Spelling Variations

Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Leonard family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Lennon, Lannin, Lannon, Linnane, O'Lennon, Lennane, Leonard, MacAlinion, O'Lennan and many more.

Early Notables of the Leonard family

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

Leonard World Ranking

In the United States, the name Leonard is the 324th most popular surname with an estimated 84,558 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Leonard is ranked the 480th most popular surname with an estimated 10,068 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Leonard is the 459th popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Leonard as 381st with 123 people. 4 France ranks Leonard as 394th with 10,765 people. 5 Australia ranks Leonard as 554th with 7,002 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Leonard as 634th with 1,125 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Leonard as 532nd with 12,383 people. 8


Leonard migration to the United States +

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Leonard family in North America:

Leonard Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Leonard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Leonard Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Leonard migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Leonard Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Leonard Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Leonard migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Leonard Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Leonard migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Leonard Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Leonard migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17
Leonard Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Leonard (post 1700) +


The Leonard Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Prisco stirpe hibernico
Motto Translation: Of an ancient Irish stock


Suggested Readings for the name Leonard +
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