Surname Lecky - Meaning and Origin

Lecky: What does the surname Lecky mean?

The last name Lecky is an anglicized variation of the Irish surname Ó Leochaigh and is of Gaelic origin. It comes from the Irish Gaelic word "lochaigh" which means “fury” or “warlike”. Historically, the surname is derived from a number of different septs found mainly in counties Mayo, Galway, and Sligo. It is believed to have originated from the ancient kingdom of Tethba in Connacht province, Ireland, where a fierce warrior named Farlath was a notable leader during the 12th century.

The name Lecky is associated with many influential figures in Irish history and literature. William Edward Hartpole Lecky (1838–1903) was an Irish historian and political writer whose works are still well-regarded today, while Margaret Lecky (1911–1945) was a brilliant theorist, political social scientist, and activist. Richard Joseph Lecky (1873–1941) was an Irish Distinguished Service Order recipient best known for his distinguished service in both the World Wars.

Today, the surname Lecky is widely used across the Irish diaspora as it is often passed on from generation to generation. In the United States, the name is found mainly in Irish-American communities, particularly in areas of New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. It is also fairly common in the United Kingdom, primarily in London and other major cities. The Lecky name is a proud Irish legacy with a storied past that is admired and revered to this day.

Lecky: Where does the name Lecky come from?

The Lecky surname is most commonly found today in Ireland, although it isn't a very popular name. Variations of the name such as "Lacky" and “Leckey” are also found in parts of Scotland, England, and some areas of North America.

The Lecky family is believed to have come to Ireland with the early wave of English settlers in the 1300s. The name is thought to have originated from a Norman French term ‘La Leche’, which translates to ‘the milkman’, indicating that the first Lecky family members may have been dairy farmers.

In recent times, there have been many prominent members of the Lecky family. William Edward Hartpole Lecky, an Irish historian and author, is perhaps the most well-known. His works on the history of Ireland and England remain widely popular and have been republished on numerous occasions.

For centuries, the Lecky name has been associated with Ireland. Today, many members of the Lecky family are still active in Ireland, especially in County Limerick where many of its earliest members resided. The name is also still found in Scotland, England, and Canada, especially in areas with a large Irish population.

Variations of the surname Lecky

The surname Lecky has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Lecky is an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Lachtnain. This surname is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic family O'Lachtnain which literally means "descendant of Lachtnan". Other spellings of this surname are Laverty, O'Lagoan, Loughnan, Laighin, O'Loughnan, O'Laghane, O'Laghnan, O'Lachnane, and Lashley.

Lecky can also be a variation of the French given name Luc or Lucas, in which case this surname would mean "son of Luc".

Some of the other variants of the Lecky surname are: Lacky, Lacky, Lackey, Lackie, Lackey, Leckey, Lokay, Looky, and Lockie.

The Lecky name can also be found in Scotland, where it can be a shortened version of the name MacLeod. This name originates from the Gaelic MacLeoid, meaning "son of Leod" and referring to a Norse nickname, meaning "loud” or “growth".

The German version of Lecky is Lecke and can be found in areas such as Prussia, Bavaria, and Austria. It is derived from the German word lecke which means “stylish” or “tasteful”.

Finally, there is also an Ashkenazi Jewish version of Lecky. This name originated in eastern European countries such as Russia, Hungary, and Poland. It is derived from the German word lecke, which means “tasteful” or “refined”.

Famous people with the name Lecky

• William Edward Hartpole Lecky (1838–1903): An Irish historian specialising in the history of England and Ireland during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
• Stephen Lecky (1778–1855): Irish politician who represented county Donegal for a number of years in the Irish House of Commons.
• Eddie Lecky (1930–2006): Award-winning Irish cinematographer who collaborated with many famous directors, including John Huston, Peter Bogdanovich, and Stanley Kubrick.
• Richard Lecky (1797–1875): British philosopher, theologian and missionary who was renowned for launching the British and Foreign Bible Society.
• Josh Lecky (born 1979): Canadian actor who is best known for his appearances in the television series Red Riding Hood, The 4400, and Blade.
• Alfred Lecky (1838–1928): Irish poet whose works were featured in the well-known Dublin Magazine.
• William Leckey (1891–1934): Australian soldier who was awarded the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery during the First World War.
• John James Lecky (1862–1945): British biographer and playwright who is best remembered for his 'Piers Plowman' play, which was first performed in London in 1900.
• Harry Lecky (1876–1963): Irish actor who made a career in the British silent film industry and was seen in several notable films, including The Flying Scotsman and The Night We Dropped a Clanger.
• Shaa Lecky (born 1989): American rapper and music producer whose work has been featured on television shows such as How I Met Your Mother, Parks and Recreation, and The Cleveland Show.

Other surnames

Leckie