NameCensus.

UK surname

Lleshi

An Albanian surname with possible roots in the word "lesh" meaning wool.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Enfield, Barking and Dagenham and Greenwich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lleshi is 157 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

157

2016, ranked #23,006

Peak year

2016

157 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016, ranked #23,006.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Lleshi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lleshi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lleshi 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
1997 modern 2 #38,557
1998 modern 3 #38,304
1999 modern 2 #38,551
2000 modern 4 #38,004
2001 modern 4 #37,862
2002 modern 7 #37,379
2003 modern 8 #37,248
2004 modern 15 #36,530
2005 modern 26 #35,674
2006 modern 45 #34,491
2007 modern 53 #34,115
2008 modern 69 #32,962
2009 modern 92 #30,820
2010 modern 116 #27,704
2011 modern 117 #27,334
2012 modern 137 #24,731
2013 modern 145 #24,207
2014 modern 151 #23,745
2015 modern 156 #23,106
2016 modern 157 #23,006

Geography

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Where Lleshis are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Enfield, Barking and Dagenham and Greenwich. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Enfield 005 Enfield
2 Enfield 024 Enfield
3 Barking and Dagenham 021 Barking and Dagenham
4 Barking and Dagenham 017 Barking and Dagenham
5 Greenwich 005 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lleshi

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lleshi

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Lleshi is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lleshi 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

Lleshi falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lleshi is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Lleshi

The surname LLESHI has its origins in Albania, with the earliest records of this name dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Albanian word "llesh," which means "wool," suggesting that the name may have been associated with the wool trade or textile industry.

LLESHI is predominantly found in the northern and central regions of Albania, particularly in the towns of Shkodra, Lezha, and Kruja. These areas were historically known for their thriving wool and textile production, which could have contributed to the emergence of this surname.

One of the earliest documented references to the LLESHI surname can be found in the records of the Venetian Republic, which controlled parts of Albania during the 15th and 16th centuries. These records often listed Albanian names and surnames of individuals involved in trade or other economic activities with the Venetians.

In the late 16th century, a notable figure named Gjergj LLESHI was mentioned in a chronicle documenting the Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire. He was described as a local leader from the town of Kruja, known for his bravery and military tactics against the Ottoman forces.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the LLESHI surname appeared in various historical documents and records, including church registers, property deeds, and tax records. One prominent individual was Ndok LLESHI, a wealthy merchant and landowner from the city of Shkodra, who lived in the early 18th century.

In the 19th century, the LLESHI family produced several notable figures, including Pal LLESHI (1820-1893), a Catholic priest and scholar who contributed to the preservation of Albanian culture and language during the Ottoman rule. Another significant figure was Mikel LLESHI (1845-1912), a political activist and writer who advocated for Albanian independence from the Ottoman Empire.

The 20th century saw the continuation of the LLESHI legacy, with individuals like Ndre LLESHI (1906-1989), a renowned artist and painter whose works captured the traditional Albanian life and landscapes. Additionally, Mirash LLESHI (1932-2003) was a respected novelist and playwright, known for his works that explored themes of Albanian identity and cultural heritage.

While the LLESHI surname is primarily associated with Albania, it has also been found in neighboring regions, such as Kosovo and North Macedonia, potentially due to migration and cultural exchanges throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Lleshi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Lleshi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016. That gives Lleshi a modern rank of #23,006.

What does the Lleshi surname mean?

An Albanian surname with possible roots in the word "lesh" meaning wool.

What does the Lleshi map show?

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