UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a maker of sieves, strainers, or fish spears.
In the 1881 census there were 91 people recorded with the Leister surname, ranking it #20,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 87, ranked #32,476, down from #20,843 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner and West Kilbride. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Leister is 128 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.4%.
1881 census count
91
Ranked #20,843
Modern count
87
2016, ranked #32,476
Peak year
1861
128 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Leister surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Leister surname density by area, 1861 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 | 95 | #17,707 |
| 1861 | historical | 128 | #17,375 |
| 1881 | historical | 91 | #20,843 |
| 1891 | historical | 78 | #27,035 |
| 1901 | historical | 76 | #25,734 |
| 1911 | historical | 55 | #27,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 83 | #29,216 |
| 1998 | modern | 84 | #29,537 |
| 1999 | modern | 78 | #30,327 |
| 2000 | modern | 71 | #31,082 |
| 2001 | modern | 72 | #30,813 |
| 2002 | modern | 74 | #31,048 |
| 2003 | modern | 78 | #30,654 |
| 2004 | modern | 77 | #31,024 |
| 2005 | modern | 79 | #30,950 |
| 2006 | modern | 75 | #31,733 |
| 2007 | modern | 75 | #32,079 |
| 2008 | modern | 78 | #32,081 |
| 2009 | modern | 87 | #31,489 |
| 2010 | modern | 94 | #31,111 |
| 2011 | modern | 89 | #31,659 |
| 2012 | modern | 87 | #32,180 |
| 2013 | modern | 91 | #32,020 |
| 2014 | modern | 85 | #32,743 |
| 2015 | modern | 86 | #32,604 |
| 2016 | modern | 87 | #32,476 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner, West Kilbride, Manchester and Liverpool. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner | Hampshire |
| 3 | West Kilbride | Ayr |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Leister 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 Leister, 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 Leister surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Leister 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, Leister 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 Leister is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Leister, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LEISTER has its origins in the Germanic region of Europe, specifically in the areas that are now modern-day Germany and the Netherlands. It is believed to have first emerged in the Middle Ages, possibly as early as the 11th or 12th century.
One theory suggests that the name LEISTER is derived from an old German word "leisten," which means "to perform" or "to accomplish." This could indicate that the name was initially given to someone who excelled at a particular craft or profession. Alternatively, it may have been a descriptive surname for someone who was known for their diligence and hard work.
Another possibility is that the name originated from a place name. There are several locations in Germany and the Netherlands with names similar to LEISTER, such as Leisten, Leisterbach, and Leistringen. It was common practice in medieval times for people to take on surnames based on the place they were born or lived.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name LEISTER can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from the region of Saxony, Germany. In this codex, a man named Conradus Leister is mentioned in a document dated 1324.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the surname LEISTER. One such person was Johann Leister (1561-1612), a German composer and organist who served at the court of Saxony. Another was Johann Caspar Leister (1640-1693), a German painter and engraver known for his religious and allegorical works.
In the 18th century, Johann Georg Leister (1719-1767) was a German theologian and author who wrote extensively on religious topics. Later, in the 19th century, Johann Leister (1819-1884) was a prominent German architect who designed several notable buildings in the city of Frankfurt.
Moving into the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals with the LEISTER surname was Wilhelm Leister (1900-1986), a German politician and member of the Nazi party. He served as a member of the Reichstag (the German parliament) during the Third Reich.
While the name LEISTER may have originated in Germany and the Netherlands, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through migration and immigration. However, the earliest recorded examples and historical references remain rooted in the Germanic regions of Europe.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Leister 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. Middlesex leads with 23 Leisters recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.59x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 23 | 2.59x |
| Lancashire | 10 | 0.95x |
| Suffolk | 9 | 8.33x |
| Cumberland | 8 | 10.47x |
| Lanarkshire | 8 | 2.79x |
| Sussex | 8 | 5.35x |
| Durham | 4 | 1.51x |
| Essex | 3 | 1.71x |
| Lincolnshire | 3 | 2.11x |
| Northumberland | 3 | 2.27x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.34x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 0.89x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.51x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.54x |
| Dumfriesshire | 1 | 5.10x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.33x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 0.84x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 3.06x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.23x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Poplar London in Middlesex leads with 9 Leisters recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.73x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Poplar London | 9 | 53.73x |
| Hamsey | 8 | 4705.88x |
| Islington London | 8 | 9.30x |
| Cockfield | 7 | 2500.00x |
| Arlecdon | 6 | 295.57x |
| Old Monkland | 4 | 35.12x |
| Pelton | 4 | 317.46x |
| Warrington | 4 | 32.05x |
| Horton | 3 | 461.54x |
| York St Nicholas In | 3 | 612.24x |
| Aspatria | 2 | 273.97x |
| Barony | 2 | 2.75x |
| Coventry Holy Trinity | 2 | 29.94x |
| Felsham | 2 | 2000.00x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 4.05x |
| Radcliffe | 2 | 39.37x |
| Altrincham | 1 | 29.24x |
| Closeburn | 1 | 217.39x |
| East Budleigh | 1 | 114.94x |
| Everton | 1 | 2.98x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 1.96x |
| Great Grimsby | 1 | 11.10x |
| Great Wakering | 1 | 256.41x |
| Hamilton | 1 | 12.48x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 4.57x |
| Holbeach | 1 | 63.29x |
| Knowsley | 1 | 263.16x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 6.19x |
| Manchester | 1 | 2.11x |
| Messing | 1 | 454.55x |
| Mile End | 1 | 312.50x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 3.23x |
| Over Darwen | 1 | 11.89x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 3.06x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 1 | 5.60x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 1 | 22.99x |
| St Maryle Wigford | 1 | 90.91x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 2.11x |
| Stirling | 1 | 24.21x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Leister 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 Leister surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 91 people were recorded with the Leister surname. That placed it at #20,843 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 87 in 2016. That gives Leister a modern rank of #32,476.
An occupational surname referring to a maker of sieves, strainers, or fish spears.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Leister 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.