Surname Leisure - Meaning and Origin
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Leisure: What does the surname Leisure mean?
The last name Leisure is of English and French origin. It is derived from the Middle English word leisir, which means “freedom,” “time for rest,” or “opportunity.”
The name likely originated from a family in which leisure activities were either highly prized or made up a major part of their lifestyle. It was most likely used to denote a family of people who enjoyed a large amount of free time or were concerned with enhancing the quality of relaxation they enjoyed.
The surname is also akin to the French word l’aisance, which carries the meaning of pleasure, home comfort, and ease of life. This is particularly suggestive of families who upgraded their class and lived a more comfortable lifestyle then their ancestors.
The word leisure also reflects a certain privilege and potential wealth in the family, suggesting a family that had the financial wherewithal to enjoy leisure activities such as travelling, sport, and other hobbies. More generally, it reflects a family that valued the importance of leisure and its integral role in life.
Today, families with the last name Leisure are mostly found in England and the United States. They are usually successful professionals or entrepreneurs who have made leisure a priority in their lives.
Order DNA origin analysisLeisure: Where does the name Leisure come from?
The last name Leisure is most commonly found in England, the United States and Canada. The English roots of this surname trace back to the eleventh-century Anglo-Saxon cultures and have been used as a surname since at least that era. The Leisure surname is of patronymic origin, derived from the English personal name Lesse or Liseur, meaning "reader, scholar, or lector."
In England, records of Leisure families are found in the early parishes, particularly in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. In the United States and Canada, there are Leisures on almost every continent, with the greatest number living in Canada and the United States.
The International Genealogical Index includes several entries containing the surname Leisure prior to 1837. Most of these entries are within Great Britain, but there are also entries found in Maryland, USA, and Australia. The Leisures who immigrated to the United States from England settled primarily in states like Pennsylvania, Virginia and the Carolinas. Contemporary Leisures also spread throughout the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest.
The digital modern era has allowed Leisure families to connect with each other in ways that weren't possible in previous generations. The internet has created websites, blogs, forums, and more ways for Leisure family members to reunite, reconnect and share stories and traditions. Additionally, social media has connected people to each other more rapidly than ever before and is an excellent tool for locating gatherings of Leisures across the world.
Variations of the surname Leisure
The surname Leisure is derived from the Old French word 'leisure' or 'leiseor' meaning 'comforter'. The name itself was likely related to someone who provided comfort to others, or was adept at making others feel at ease.
Variants of the surname Leisure include Leizur, Leizurre, Leisouer, Leisouere, Leysoor, Leysouer, Liseur, Liesur, and Leoseur. These are a few of the most common variants and spellings of this surname.
No matter the spelling, all of these variants of the surname Leisure have the same origin, and ultimately the same meaning. Other possible surnames of the same origin also include Leisuer, Leizur, Leysor, Leysur, Leizeur, and Leysurre.
The surname Leisure can be found in both French and English populations, though it is more widely recorded in Northern France. It is also seen in Belgium, although it may have been influenced by surrounding countries. Certainly some spelling variants may be a result of emigration; for example, Leiser in Germany and Liser in the United States.
Ultimately, a surnames variants and spelling variations cannot be conclusively determined as the same in origin without more research. However, for the surname Leisure, these variants and spellings should be considered as derived from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Leisure
- Brendan Leisure: professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Etta Leisure: American singer-songwriter and actress.
- Chris Leisure: the lead singer of the 90’s R&B group H-Town.
- Allen Leisure: American actor, best known for his roles in the movies The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile.
- John Leisure: American actor, best known for his roles in The Big Lebowski, Old School, and The Hangover.
- Jeff Leisure: international fashion model.
- Kendra Leisure: American Country Music Artist.
- Christine Leisure: professional dancer and choreographer from Miami, Florida.
- Ryan Leisure: professional skater and stunt performer.
- Aaron Leisure: former pro MMA fighter, fought for UFC, now an instructor at Tiger Muay Thai.