NameCensus.

UK surname

Leal

A Spanish and Portuguese surname meaning "loyal" or "faithful," often bestowed upon a loyal servant or subject.

In the 1881 census there were 255 people recorded with the Leal surname, ranking it #10,924 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 463, ranked #10,586, up from #10,924 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newchurch, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Isle of Wight, Redbridge and Leicester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Leal is 463 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 81.6%.

1881 census count

255

Ranked #10,924

Modern count

463

2016, ranked #10,586

Peak year

2016

463 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Leal had 255 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,924 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 463 in 2016, ranked #10,586.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 455 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Leal surname distribution map

The map shows where the Leal surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Leal surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Leal over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 207 #10,148
1861 historical 282 #8,895
1881 historical 255 #10,924
1891 historical 455 #8,009
1901 historical 441 #8,830
1911 historical 386 #9,535
1997 modern 330 #12,701
1998 modern 342 #12,739
1999 modern 340 #12,870
2000 modern 329 #13,090
2001 modern 330 #12,893
2002 modern 349 #12,652
2003 modern 348 #12,452
2004 modern 352 #12,399
2005 modern 363 #12,037
2006 modern 371 #11,916
2007 modern 382 #11,775
2008 modern 389 #11,723
2009 modern 412 #11,461
2010 modern 421 #11,519
2011 modern 415 #11,514
2012 modern 426 #11,139
2013 modern 444 #10,946
2014 modern 456 #10,781
2015 modern 449 #10,836
2016 modern 463 #10,586

Geography

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Where Leals are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newchurch, London parishes, St Pancras, Elgin and Freshwater. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Isle of Wight, Redbridge, Leicester and Worthing. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Newchurch Hampshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Elgin Elgin
5 Freshwater Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Isle of Wight 006 Isle of Wight
2 Redbridge 012 Redbridge
3 Leicester 018 Leicester
4 Isle of Wight 010 Isle of Wight
5 Worthing 005 Worthing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Leal

These lists show first names that appear often with the Leal surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Leal

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Leal, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Leal surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Leal household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Leal is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Leal is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Leal falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Leal is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Leal, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Leal

The surname LEAL has its origins in Spain and Portugal, where it is believed to have first appeared in the 12th century. It is derived from the Spanish and Portuguese word "leal," which means "loyal" or "faithful." The name was likely originally given as a descriptive surname to someone who was considered to be a loyal or trustworthy person.

In Spain, one of the earliest recorded mentions of the name LEAL can be found in the Becerro de las Behetrias de Castilla, a medieval census document from the 14th century. The document lists several individuals with the surname LEAL residing in various parts of Castile.

One notable historical figure with the surname LEAL was Pedro Núñez Leal, a 15th-century Spanish navigator and explorer. He was born in Seville around 1450 and is credited with being one of the first Europeans to explore the coast of West Africa, where he established Portuguese trading posts.

Another prominent individual with the surname LEAL was Juan Leal de Ibarra, a 16th-century Spanish conquistador and explorer. He was born in Seville around 1520 and participated in the conquest of Mexico alongside Hernán Cortés. He later became a prominent landowner and government official in New Spain (present-day Mexico).

In Portugal, the surname LEAL was also prevalent, particularly in the northern regions of the country. One notable Portuguese figure with this surname was Duarte Leal, a 16th-century poet and dramatist who was born in Lisbon around 1550. He is best known for his works in the Spanish Golden Age tradition.

Elsewhere in Europe, the surname LEAL can be found in regions with historical connections to Spain and Portugal, such as parts of Italy and France. For example, in the 17th century, there was a notable Italian painter named Pietro Leal who was active in Rome and Naples.

Additionally, the surname LEAL has been recorded in various Latin American countries, reflecting the Spanish and Portuguese colonial influence in the region. One prominent figure with this surname was Juan Leal, a Venezuelan politician and diplomat who served as the country's ambassador to the United States in the early 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Leal families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Leal surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Hampshire leads with 123 Leals recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.13x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 123 24.13x
Middlesex 31 1.25x
Lancashire 12 0.41x
Kent 11 1.30x
Aberdeenshire 9 3.91x
Berwickshire 7 23.24x
Yorkshire 7 0.28x
Devon 6 1.16x
Nottinghamshire 6 1.79x
Gloucestershire 5 1.03x
Sussex 5 1.19x
Glamorgan 4 0.92x
Lanarkshire 4 0.50x
Morayshire 4 10.35x
Nairnshire 4 52.70x
Warwickshire 4 0.64x
Surrey 3 0.25x
Essex 2 0.41x
Fife 2 1.36x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.67x
Caithness 1 2.94x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.63x
Dorset 1 0.61x
Perthshire 1 0.90x
Staffordshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ryde in Hampshire leads with 31 Leals recorded in 1881 and an index of 283.11x.

Place Total Index
Ryde 31 283.11x
Carisbrooke 29 409.60x
Freshwater 19 815.45x
Salford 8 9.22x
St Helens 8 215.63x
Lauder 7 421.69x
Woolwich 7 22.33x
Fulham London 6 16.63x
St Marylebone London 6 4.52x
St Maurice Winchester 6 283.02x
Arreton 5 306.75x
Bramley 5 1315.79x
Brighton 5 5.91x
Clifton 5 20.28x
Fraserburgh 5 77.16x
St Pancras London 5 2.50x
Auldearn 4 360.36x
Barnsley 4 15.74x
Cardiff St John 4 28.27x
Elgin 4 53.19x
Govan 4 2.01x
Limehouse London 4 14.65x
Oldham 4 4.20x
Portsea 4 4.00x
St Bartholomew Hyde 4 327.87x
Westminster St James 4 15.64x
Aberdeen Old Machar 3 6.24x
Battersea 3 3.28x
Exeter St Sidwell 3 25.30x
Newark Upon Trent 3 24.90x
Radford 3 17.62x
Romsey Infra 3 173.41x
Solihull 3 66.52x
St Peter Colebrook 3 416.67x
Chelsea London 2 2.67x
St Andrews 2 29.85x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.56x
West Teignmouth 2 50.51x
Whippingham 2 51.81x
Abbotsham 1 250.00x
Aston 1 0.58x
Bromley 1 7.73x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 12.18x
Halkirk 1 43.48x
Hampstead London 1 2.58x
Hovingham 1 196.08x
Logie 1 25.00x
Newmarket All Sts 1 86.21x
Newport 1 36.10x
Northwood 1 13.77x
Portsmouth 1 8.52x
Ravenfield 1 666.67x
Southampton All Sts 1 11.43x
St Martin In Fields 1 6.72x
Sturry 1 100.00x
Tonbridge 1 3.27x
Turriff 1 26.88x
Upton Cum Chalvey 1 16.69x
Wakefield 1 5.29x
Wanstead 1 11.63x
West Ham 1 0.92x
Weymouth 1 32.36x
Wolverhampton 1 1.55x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Leal surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 17
Jane 10
Elizabeth 6
Hannah 5
Alice 4
Ann 4
Eliza 4
Emily 4
Ellen 3
Emma 3
Fanny 3
Harriet 3
Rose 3
Winifred 3
Agnes 2
Annie 2
Julia 2
Louisa 2
Margret 2
Adelaide 1
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Betsy 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Elisa 1
Elsie 1
Ettey 1
Harriett 1
Isabella 1
Laura 1
Lena 1
Letitia 1
Lilly 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Margaretta 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Maude 1
Minnie 1
Musah 1
Selina 1
Susan 1
Suseimiah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Leal surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 14
George 13
Charles 9
John 9
James 7
Thomas 6
Frank 4
Henry 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Fredrick 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Morris 2
Percy 2
Walter 2
Alfred 1
Alick 1
Benjamin 1
Bertie 1
Charlie 1
Cuthbert 1
Ed. 1
Edmond 1
Edwd.G. 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Fredk. 1
Herbert 1
Jesse 1
Lewis 1
Maurice 1
Oliver 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Tom 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Leal surname: questions and answers

How common was the Leal surname in 1881?

In 1881, 255 people were recorded with the Leal surname. That placed it at #10,924 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Leal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 463 in 2016. That gives Leal a modern rank of #10,586.

What does the Leal surname mean?

A Spanish and Portuguese surname meaning "loyal" or "faithful," often bestowed upon a loyal servant or subject.

What does the Leal map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Leal bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.