Surname Leithwaite - Meaning and Origin
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Leithwaite: What does the surname Leithwaite mean?
The last name Leithwaite is derived from the northern English term for a clearing in the middle of a forest. The original bearer of this surname may have come from a formerly wooded area, or possibly held authority over one. The name is a combination of the Old English terms for wood (leah) and clearing (thwaite). Many places across the north of England still carry on the Leithwaite name into modern times.
Leithwaite is also a Scandinavian version of the name. Without the Old English "thwaite" suffix, the name becomes "Leith". This suggests that at some point, a Norse family with the name Leith immigrated to England and adapted their original surname.
The name is also seen in France as LeThwaite, and in Germany as Leidwaite. Leithwaite is now a popular surname in many parts of the English speaking world.
Despite its various forms, the meaning of the name Leithwaite has remained the same – a totally wooded area, or a clearing in the middle of a forest. Today, this last name still carries a sense of connection to the earliest inhabitants of the British Isles and their love for the natural environment.
Order DNA origin analysisLeithwaite: Where does the name Leithwaite come from?
The surname Leithwaite is mainly found in the United Kingdom, with a large concentration around the Cumbria region in the northwest. It is the 88th most popular surname in this region and can also be found in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Outside of the UK, Leithwaite is less common but may be found in the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, as well as small enclaves in other countries. In the US, it is the 16,559th most common surname, with a notable number of bearers coming from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California.
The origin of the surname is an English name, derived from a combination of Old English words meaning "at the willow trees." It likely refers to a family who lived among the willow trees in ancient times.
The name is associated with other English surnames including Leathitt, Leathwayt, Lethwaite, and Lettwayt. It is also sometimes found spelled as Laythwaite.
The trend of 'Leithwaite' remains constant in the UK today. As people continue to search for their heritage and family history, expect to see an uptick in the number of households with the surname.
Variations of the surname Leithwaite
The surname Leithwaite is of English and Scottish origin. Variations of this surname may include Leathwaite, Leithwayt, Leathwayt, and Lythwate.
In England, Leithwaite originates from a village in Westmorland, now part of Cumbria. As a result, the Leithwaite surname can be found particularly in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland. In Scotland, the surname originates from the district of Leith in Edinbourg, and the surname can be found particularly in the southern parts of Scotland.
Variant spellings of Leithwaite have been used in the past, such as Lethwaite, Lythwaite, Lythewaite, and Leithwayte. Other surname variants may include Laythewaite and Laytherwaite. Due to their English and Scottish origins, Leithwaite names can also be found more widely throughout the English and Scottish diaspora.
The Leithwaite surname can be seen in its various spellings in records dating back to the 1400s. Notable individuals from the Leithwaite family include William Leathwaite (1510–1567), a prominent figure in the English Reformation, and the Rev Thomas Lythewate (1568–1635), an English cleric. Some later examples include the industrialist and politician Charles Leatheway (1843–1913), and the musician and scientist Craig Leithwaite (1974–2009).
Famous people with the name Leithwaite
- Robert Leithwaite, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Jonathan Leithwaite, former English international footballer.
- Nigel Leithwaite, geologist and professor at the University of Manchester.
- Richard Leithwaite, Oxford law professor.
- Tess Leithwaite, British skull dancer.
- Clive Leithwaite, English cricket player in the Shefield Shield tournament.
- Amanda Leithwaite, British-American wildlife artist and curator.
- Darren Leithwaite, author and former choirboy.
- William Leithwaite, Oxford lecturer in particle physics.
- Sir John Leithwaite, British fencer and Olympic silver medallist.