Leister — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #10,800 in the US 2,952 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#10,800
▼ Down 719 since 2000
People in the US
2,952
1.0 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Leister Surname

What does the last name Leister mean?

The surname Leister carries the meaning "One who does." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 2,952 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Leister ranks as the #10,800 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Leister come from?

The Leister surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Leister name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Leister trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Leister
Meaning One who does
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #10,800
US Count (2010) 2,952
Per 100K People 1.0
First Letter L

Ethnic Distribution of Leister

According to the US Census, the Leister surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 2,952 Americans with the Leister last name.

White 95.6%
Black 0.95%
Hispanic 1.29%
Asian/PI 0.75%
Native American 0.37%
Two+ Races 1.05%
Ethnic distribution of the Leister surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White95.6%
Black0.95%
Hispanic1.29%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.75%
Native American0.37%
Two or More Races1.05%

Popularity of Leister Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Leister surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#10,081
2,948 people
Down 719
Census 2010
#10,800
2,952 people

The number of Americans with the Leister surname increased by 4 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Leister Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Leister ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Leister

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Leister.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Leister.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leister

The surname Leister is of English origin. One who does
The surname Leister is ranked #10,800 in the United States with approximately 2,952 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
One who does. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Leister surname is distributed as: 95.6% White. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Leister ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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