NameCensus.

UK surname

Leggat

A surname of Anglo-Saxon origin meaning "long legs".

In the 1881 census there were 697 people recorded with the Leggat surname, ranking it #5,202 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 684, ranked #7,836, down from #5,202 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kincardine, Bridgeton and Burghead, Roseisle and Laich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Leggat is 808 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.9%.

1881 census count

697

Ranked #5,202

Modern count

684

2016, ranked #7,836

Peak year

1901

808 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Leggat had 697 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,202 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 684 in 2016, ranked #7,836.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 808 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Leggat surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Leggat surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Leggat 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 368 #6,459
1861 historical 482 #5,418
1881 historical 697 #5,202
1891 historical 693 #5,657
1901 historical 808 #5,583
1911 historical 53 #27,508
1997 modern 632 #7,843
1998 modern 657 #7,842
1999 modern 648 #7,966
2000 modern 656 #7,883
2001 modern 649 #7,803
2002 modern 666 #7,805
2003 modern 641 #7,902
2004 modern 663 #7,722
2005 modern 641 #7,851
2006 modern 636 #7,939
2007 modern 639 #7,976
2008 modern 659 #7,830
2009 modern 659 #7,989
2010 modern 684 #7,920
2011 modern 683 #7,840
2012 modern 678 #7,806
2013 modern 679 #7,929
2014 modern 681 #7,952
2015 modern 682 #7,879
2016 modern 684 #7,836

Geography

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Where Leggats are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Glasgow and Paisley Abbey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kincardine, Bridgeton, Burghead, Roseisle and Laich, Craigshill and Bellshill South. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Paisley Abbey Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kincardine Fife
2 Bridgeton Glasgow City
3 Burghead, Roseisle and Laich Moray
4 Craigshill West Lothian
5 Bellshill South North Lanarkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Leggat

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Leggat

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Leggat, 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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Leggat surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Leggat household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Leggat is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Leggat is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Leggat falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Leggat

The surname Leggat is of Scottish origin, originating from the Lowlands region of Scotland during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "leggatu," meaning "hollow" or "small valley." This suggests that the name initially referred to someone who lived in a secluded valley or a hollow area.

In the early 13th century, the name appeared in various historical records and documents, such as the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which recorded individuals who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. One notable example is Gillebrid Leggat, who was recorded as a tenant in the lands of Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1305.

The name Leggat has also been found in various ancient manuscripts and charters, including the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the 14th century. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is Robert Leggat, who was mentioned in the Rental Book of Cupar-Angus Abbey in 1481.

Throughout history, the surname Leggat has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure was Sir James Leggat (1531-1601), a Scottish lawyer and statesman who served as Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1588 to 1592. Another prominent individual was Robert Leggat (1773-1824), a Scottish painter known for his portraiture and historical scenes.

In the 17th century, the name Leggat appeared in various accounts and records related to the Scottish Covenanters, a Presbyterian movement that played a significant role in the religious and political upheavals of that era. One such individual was John Leggat (1620-1684), a Scottish minister and covenanter who was imprisoned for his beliefs.

The surname Leggat has also been associated with places and geographic features in Scotland. For instance, the village of Leggat in Aberdeenshire is believed to have derived its name from the surname. Additionally, the Leggat Burn, a stream in East Ayrshire, likely takes its name from the same source.

Over the centuries, the surname Leggat has undergone various spelling variations, including Leggate, Leggatt, and Leggett. These variations reflect the regional dialects and scribal practices of different areas in Scotland where the name was prevalent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Leggat families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Leggat 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. Lanarkshire leads with 282 Leggats recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.90x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 282 12.90x
Renfrewshire 117 22.33x
Aberdeenshire 67 10.70x
Midlothian 50 5.52x
Ayrshire 46 9.09x
Angus 34 5.43x
Cumberland 10 1.72x
Perthshire 9 2.97x
West Lothian 9 8.84x
Stirlingshire 8 3.21x
Morayshire 7 6.66x
Banffshire 6 4.28x
Middlesex 6 0.09x
Kincardineshire 5 6.07x
Northumberland 5 0.50x
Kirkcudbrightshire 4 4.09x
Lancashire 4 0.05x
Norfolk 4 0.38x
Sussex 4 0.35x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.70x
Lincolnshire 3 0.28x
Fife 2 0.50x
Yorkshire 2 0.03x
Derbyshire 1 0.09x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.55x
Hampshire 1 0.07x
Kinross-shire 1 5.85x
Peeblesshire 1 3.14x
Surrey 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 81 Leggats recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.98x.

Place Total Index
Govan 81 14.98x
Neilston 56 212.93x
Barony 41 7.41x
Abbey 33 41.29x
East Kilbride 30 320.51x
Glasgow 24 6.18x
Liff Benvie 20 21.04x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 19 16.22x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 19 5.21x
Cambusnethan 17 35.01x
Glassford 17 504.45x
Stevenston 13 98.56x
Stonehouse 13 175.20x
Bothwell 12 20.24x
Dalserf 12 55.00x
Shotts 12 45.87x
Dundee 11 4.70x
Dalmellington 10 67.20x
Harrington 10 142.25x
Kintore 10 183.82x
Coylton 9 125.35x
Skene 9 216.87x
South Leith 8 7.85x
Blantyre 7 30.76x
Forres 7 63.41x
Galston 7 50.58x
Linlithgow 7 53.60x
Paisley Middle Church 7 22.95x
Edinburgh St Marys 6 34.09x
Old Monkland 6 6.92x
West Greenock 6 6.38x
Banff 5 41.05x
Bedlington 5 14.89x
Caputh 5 104.82x
Denny 5 37.71x
Edinburgh St Georges 5 26.61x
King Edward 5 69.25x
Liberton 5 35.77x
Cambuslang 4 18.15x
Eastwood 4 12.40x
Kelton 4 49.75x
Limehouse London 4 5.39x
Monquhitter 4 61.73x
Paisley Low Church 4 24.13x
Aberdeen Old Machar 3 2.30x
Bervie 3 61.48x
Brighton 3 1.30x
Brothertoft 3 508.47x
Dalziel 3 12.76x
Falkirk 3 5.14x
Forgue 3 53.38x
Montrose 3 7.91x
Over 3 118.11x
Paisley High Church 3 7.19x
St Quivox 3 17.53x
Stow Bardolph 3 97.09x
Turriff 3 29.67x
Avondale 2 15.65x
Banchory Ternan 2 28.09x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 3.14x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 2 9.34x
Edinburgh Canongate 2 8.68x
Keithhall 2 97.56x
Kirkdale 2 1.48x
Mearns 2 21.79x
Midmar 2 82.64x
Whitburn 2 13.60x
Barnoldswick 1 10.70x
Bonhill 1 3.43x
Chelsea London 1 0.49x
Cockpen 1 9.45x
Derby St Werburgh 1 1.64x
Edinburgh New North 1 12.69x
Fyvie 1 9.78x
Havant 1 14.25x
Innerleithen 1 11.85x
Inverkeithing 1 16.58x
Kinross 1 17.06x
Meldrum 1 18.98x
Thorpe 1 69.44x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Ann 2
Annie 2
Harriet 2
Jane 2
Janet 2
Maria 2
Agnes 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Frances 1
Martha 1
Sarah 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 6
William 4
James 3
Alfred 1
Charles 1
David 1
Edward 1
Henry 1
Keal 1
Robert 1
Thomas 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Leggat surname: questions and answers

How common was the Leggat surname in 1881?

In 1881, 697 people were recorded with the Leggat surname. That placed it at #5,202 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Leggat surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 684 in 2016. That gives Leggat a modern rank of #7,836.

What does the Leggat surname mean?

A surname of Anglo-Saxon origin meaning "long legs".

What does the Leggat map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Leggat 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.