Surname Legg - Meaning and Origin

Discovering My Celtic Origins: How iGENEA DNA Test Transformed My Perception of the Surname 'Legg'

When I took the iGENEA DNA test, I was unaware of the impact it would have on my perception of my family identity. The test revealed a Celtic heritage that significantly altered my understanding of my surname 'Legg', shifting its seemingly English origins to a deeper, more profound Celtic history.

G. Legg

Legg: What does the surname Legg mean?

The last name Legg is of English origin. It is believed to be derived from the Middle English word "Legge," which means light or swift. It was typically used as a nickname for people who were known for their speed or agility, often those who were fast runners or skilled dancers. Some other interpretations suggest that it may have been used to denote someone with unusually long or short legs. The surname was first historically recorded in Dorset, England. Moreover, Legg is also considered to derive from the Old Norse personal name "Loki," the renowned trickster god in Nordic mythology. Over the years, various spellings of the name have been observed, leading to a variety of derivative surnames, including Legge, Ligg, Ligge, and others.

Legg: Where does the name Legg come from?

The last name Legg originates from England. It's an occupational surname derived from the Old English word "lecg", referring to someone who was a runner, a messenger, or a courier, due to the importance of their legs in their work. The first recorded spelling of the family name is dated 1230 in the "Pipe Rolls of Devonshire", during the reign of King Henry III.

In terms of its distribution today, the surname Legg is most common in the United States, specifically in the state of West Virginia. Besides the United States, it also has a considerable presence in England, Australia, and Canada. However, from a global perspective, it remains considerably rare, ranking as the 6,891st most common surname worldwide. The Legg family crest is traditionally associated with the motto "Patientia et perseverantia cum magnanimitate" which translates to "Patience and perseverance with magnanimity".

Variations of the surname Legg

The surname Legg is English in origin and its variants can be found in several cultures. It's believed to be derived from the Old Norse word "leggja" meaning "to lay." Variations of this surname include Legge, Leg, Ligg, Ligge, Leyg, Leag, and Lega.

Some studies suggest that it may also have originated as a nickname for someone with particularly long legs or a fast runner. In this case, variations may also include Longleg, Quickleg, and Swifteleg.

One common variant is Legge, which is prevalent in English-speaking countries. In Northern Ireland and Scotland, it's sometimes appeared as Leigh.

It's also suggested that Legg could be a variation of the Scottish surname Leckie, which has numerous spelling alternatives including Leck, Lecke, Lecki, Lecky, Leckie, and Lekie.

As for surnames of the same origin, Legg may be related to the surnames Leck, Leckie, and Legge, which are theorized to stem from the same ancient Norse root.

Given the longstanding history and commonness of the surname, its variants have spread and transformed across many regions and cultures over time.

Famous people with the name Legg

• Inez Legg, American actress
• Jojo Legg, Drum and Bass musician
• Dennis Legg, British actor
• Simon Legg, musician, composer, songwriter
• Josiah Legg, American actor
• Ethel Legg, British studio potter
• Robert Legg, English politician
• Sean Legg, English footballer
• William Legg, English boxer and former British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion
• Jim Legg, retired English football player
• Tom Legg, Violinist
• Ben Legg, English professional footballer
• Jimmy Legg, retired English professional footballer
• Kayla Legg, Australian sprint canoeist
• Cardiff Legg, American soccer player
• Erin Legg, Academy Award-winning voice actress
• Ginny Legg, British actress and voice actress
• Roger Legg, English former footballer
• Wayne Legg, English football manager and coach
• Richardson Legg, English sailor

Other surnames

LegLegalLegallLeGardLeGardoLegaudLegaultLegelLegelerLegetLegettLeggeLeggetLeggettLegitsLeglLeglerLegoffLegrandLeGuardLeGyr