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Lee World Ranking

the United States, the name Lee is the 24th most popular surname with an estimated 547,140 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Lee is ranked the 7th most popular surname with an estimated 83,424 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Lee is the 528th popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Lee as 153rd with 252 people. 4 France ranks Lee as 3,497th with 2,000 - 2,500 people. 5 Australia ranks Lee as 11st with 61,483 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Lee as 16th with 6,297 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Lee as 49th with 81,795 people. 8 Netherlands ranks Lee as 861st with 2,315 people. 9 South Africa ranks Lee as 732nd with 9,412 people. 10

Lee migration to the United States +



Lee Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Bridget Lee, who landed in America in 1620 12
  • Samuel Lee, who arrived in America in 1620 12
  • Bridget Lee, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 12
  • Christopher Lee, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Southampton" 12
  • Tryphosa Lee, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Lee Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Pricilla Lee, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 12
  • Hump Lee, who landed in Virginia in 1700 12
  • Eliz Lee, who landed in Virginia in 1705 12
  • Bryan Lee, who landed in Virginia in 1711 12
  • Philip Lee, who landed in Virginia in 1712 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Lee Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Lee, who arrived in New York in 1800 12
  • Arthur Lee, who landed in America in 1801-1802 12
  • Ezekiel Lee, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1802 12
  • Edward Lee, aged 23, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 12
  • Ephraim Lee, aged 26, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Lee Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Sol N Lee, who arrived in New York, NY in 1900 12
  • Mr. James Lee, (b. 1877), aged 26, Cornish baker, from Pelynt, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Celtic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th April 1903 en route to Canton, Illinois, USA 13
  • Halvor Olson Lee, who landed in Wisconsin in 1907 12

Lee migration to Canada +

Lee Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Edward Lee, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • Benjamin Lee, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • Mr. Daniel Lee Sr., U.E. (b. 1754) born in Worcester, England from Pembroke, Maine, USA who settled in St. George, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 married to Martha Ash they had 9 children, he died in 1818 Bonny River, New Brunswick 14
  • Mr. David Lee U.E. who settled in Bastard [Rideau Lakes], Leeds and Greenville, Ontario c. 1784 14
  • Mr. Edward Lee U.E. who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Lee Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Lee, who landed in Canada in 1829
  • Andrew Lee, aged 20, a smith, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
  • Sarah Lee, aged 26, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
  • Daniel Lee, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
  • Judith Lee, aged 10, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Elizabeth" from Galway, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Lee Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • J Lee, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
  • Mrs. Lee, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
  • Miss E Lee, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
  • H Lee, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
  • Miss F Lee, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Lee migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. Abraham Lee, (1765 - 1819), aged 24, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
  • Mr. George Lee, British settler convicted at London, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Second Fleet
  • Miss Elizabeth Lee, (1771 - 1860), aged 19, British settler convicted in England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing clothes, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
  • Mr. George Lee, (1747 - 1796), aged 43, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
  • Mr. John Lee, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
  • Mr. John Lee, (1763 - 1823), aged 27, British settler convicted in Lancashire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for felony, transported aboard the ship "HMS Gorgon" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
  • Mr. Patrick Lee, (d. 1792), aged 26, British settler convicted in Lincolnshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Queen" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Third Fleet
  • Miss Elizabeth Lee, (b. 1763), aged 24, English settler convicted in London on 23rd February 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 12
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Lee Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Lee Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Lee 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:

Lee Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Walter Lee, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • Michael Lee, aged 20, a sawyer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cuba" in 1840
  • James Lee, aged 30, a farmer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
  • Elizabeth Lee, aged 26, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
  • Mr. John Lee, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Marys" arriving in New Zealand in 1848 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lee 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. 21
Lee Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Lee, (b. 1614), aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 12
  • Mr. Richard Lee, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 22
  • Mr. Robert Lee, (b. 1602), aged 33, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 22
  • Mr. Walter Lee, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 23
  • Mr. Daniell Lee, (b. 1610), aged 25, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 24
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Lee (post 1700) +

  • Robert Edward Lee (1807-1870), American and Confederate soldier, best known as a commander of the Confederate States Army
  • Nelle Harper Lee (1926-2016), American author who received the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 for her only novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom of the United States in 2007 for her contribution to literature
  • George R. Lee (1935-2025), New York City Ballet's first Asian dancer
  • Clay Foster Lee Jr. (1930-2024), American Bishop of the United Methodist Church
  • Sheila Jackson Lee (1950-2024), American lawyer and politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1995-2024) 25
  • Greg Lee (1971-2024), American singer for Hepcat
  • Jennifer Michelle Lee (b. 1971), née Rebecchi, an American Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, best known as the writer and one of the directors of Frozen (2013) and its sequel Frozen II (2019), recipient of an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award and an Annie Award
  • Frances Elaine Lee (1941-2023), née Newman, an American costume designer for stage and film who won multiple Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards
  • Ralph Lee (1936-2023), American puppeteer and theatre artist from Middlebury, Vermont
  • ... (Another 67 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cataraqui
  • Andrew Lee, British crew who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • Michael John Lee (d. 1943), Australian Seaman who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • Thomas Albert Lee (1920-1943), Australian Acting Corporal who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • Mr. Sydney Lee, British Cook from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 26
  • Mrs. Ethel Mary Lee (1892-1914), née Durham Canadian Third Class Passenger from Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
  • ... (Another 25 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Suggested Readings for the name Lee +

  • Descendants & Ancestors of Charles & Fanny Crandall Lee by Earl Lee Smith.
  • Lee of Virginia by Edmund Jennings Lee.
  • Hezekiah Leigh by John D. Gifford.

Sources +

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  4. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  11. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  12. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  13. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  14. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  22. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  23. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/daphne
  24. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  25. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2017, April 12) Sheila Lee. Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  26. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html

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