UK surname
A variant of the surname Leggatt, derived from a Norman French nickname for a swift runner.
In the 1881 census there were 86 people recorded with the Leggitt surname, ranking it #21,449 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 57, ranked #34,511, down from #21,449 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Haltham-upon-Bain, Whittington and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Leggitt is 170 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 33.7%.
1881 census count
86
Ranked #21,449
Modern count
57
2016, ranked #34,511
Peak year
1891
170 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Leggitt surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Leggitt surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 54 | #23,577 |
| 1861 | historical | 74 | #24,370 |
| 1881 | historical | 86 | #21,449 |
| 1891 | historical | 170 | #16,816 |
| 1901 | historical | 93 | #23,689 |
| 1911 | historical | 69 | #25,965 |
| 1997 | modern | 50 | #32,658 |
| 1998 | modern | 47 | #33,197 |
| 1999 | modern | 46 | #33,424 |
| 2000 | modern | 51 | #32,999 |
| 2001 | modern | 52 | #32,764 |
| 2002 | modern | 49 | #33,377 |
| 2003 | modern | 47 | #33,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 52 | #33,418 |
| 2005 | modern | 52 | #33,619 |
| 2006 | modern | 55 | #33,688 |
| 2007 | modern | 58 | #33,731 |
| 2008 | modern | 59 | #33,827 |
| 2009 | modern | 59 | #34,072 |
| 2010 | modern | 57 | #34,421 |
| 2011 | modern | 55 | #34,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 61 | #34,228 |
| 2013 | modern | 58 | #34,488 |
| 2014 | modern | 55 | #34,649 |
| 2015 | modern | 57 | #34,519 |
| 2016 | modern | 57 | #34,511 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Haltham-upon-Bain, Whittington, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haltham-upon-Bain | Lincolnshire |
| 2 | Whittington | Derbyshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| 5 | Nottingham St Mary | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Leggitt surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Leggitt, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Leggitt surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Leggitt household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Leggitt is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Leggitt is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Leggitt, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Leggitt has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "legg," meaning "leg" or "hollow." It may have initially referred to someone who lived near a hollow or depression in the landscape.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in medieval records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Leggat." Other early variations include "Leget," "Leggett," and "Leggitt."
The Leggitt surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire. Some place names associated with the surname include Leggitt's Hill in Buckinghamshire and Leggett's Farm in Oxfordshire.
One notable historical figure bearing the Leggitt name was John Leggitt, a 16th-century English merchant and explorer born in 1530. He was part of an expedition to the West Indies and is mentioned in records from the time.
In the 17th century, William Leggitt (1609-1672) was a prominent clergyman and author from Northamptonshire. He wrote several theological works and served as the Rector of Wilby in Northamptonshire.
Another notable figure was Thomas Leggitt (1753-1835), an English soldier and artist who served in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. He is known for his detailed sketches and watercolors depicting military campaigns.
In the 19th century, Edward Leggitt (1810-1884) was a successful businessman and philanthropist from Yorkshire. He made his fortune in the textile industry and donated generously to various charitable causes in his hometown.
Finally, Henry Leggitt (1868-1943) was a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Savoy Theatre and the Royal Opera House.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who carried the Leggitt surname, highlighting its rich heritage and presence across various regions of England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Leggitt surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 15 Leggitts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 15 | 1.80x |
| Nottinghamshire | 11 | 9.73x |
| Surrey | 11 | 2.69x |
| Middlesex | 10 | 1.19x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 0.80x |
| Derbyshire | 6 | 4.57x |
| Lincolnshire | 6 | 4.47x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 2.84x |
| Northamptonshire | 4 | 5.07x |
| Norfolk | 3 | 2.33x |
| Bedfordshire | 2 | 4.61x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.41x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.58x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 0.98x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 10 Leggitts recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.20x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham St Mary | 10 | 34.20x |
| Battersea | 8 | 25.92x |
| Birmingham | 6 | 8.51x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 6 | 145.99x |
| Whittington | 6 | 329.67x |
| Althorpe | 5 | 1612.90x |
| Ardwick | 5 | 55.68x |
| Topcliffe | 4 | 2222.22x |
| Weedon Beck | 4 | 701.75x |
| Camberwell | 3 | 5.60x |
| Ecclesfield | 3 | 49.26x |
| Islington London | 3 | 3.69x |
| Manchester | 3 | 6.70x |
| Great Yarmouth | 2 | 18.73x |
| Arundel | 1 | 126.58x |
| Bedford St John | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Beverley St Mary | 1 | 82.64x |
| Chichester St Peter | 1 | 909.09x |
| Dallinghoo | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Eversholt | 1 | 454.55x |
| Gringley On Hill | 1 | 416.67x |
| Knayton With Brawith | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Leeds | 1 | 2.13x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 9.24x |
| Portsea | 1 | 2.97x |
| Ravenfield | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Rotherham | 1 | 21.32x |
| Selby | 1 | 57.47x |
| Springthorpe | 1 | 1666.67x |
| St Anne Soho London | 1 | 20.88x |
| Wymondham | 1 | 75.76x |
| York St Nicholas In | 1 | 212.77x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Leggitt surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Leggitt surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 86 people were recorded with the Leggitt surname. That placed it at #21,449 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 57 in 2016. That gives Leggitt a modern rank of #34,511.
A variant of the surname Leggatt, derived from a Norman French nickname for a swift runner.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Leggitt bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.