Find out how popular the last name Leadbetter is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Leadbetter.

Leadbetter, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Leadbetter surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Leadbetter in America

Leadbetter is the 19341st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Leadbetter surname appeared 1,399 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Leadbetter.

We can also compare 2010 data for Leadbetter to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Leadbetter

The surname "Leadbetter" is of English origin, originating in the northern counties of England during the medieval period. It is an occupational surname derived from the Old English words "lead," meaning to guide or lead, and "beter," meaning a beater or one who clears a path.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century, with references found in various historical documents and records. One such reference is in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1297, where a John Leadbeter is mentioned.

The name is believed to have originated as a designation for individuals whose occupation involved guiding or leading travelers and merchants along paths and roads, particularly through forests or other difficult terrain. These individuals would often carry sticks or staffs to clear away obstacles and mark the path.

In the Hundred Rolls of Yorkshire from 1273, a Robert le Ledebetere is listed, indicating the early use of the name in that region. The prefix "le" was a common addition to surnames during that period, denoting an occupational or descriptive name.

Several notable individuals have borne the surname Leadbetter throughout history. One of the earliest recorded is Richard Leadbetter, who served as the Sheriff of London in 1498. Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Leadbetter (1647-1728), an English merchant and philanthropist who founded several charitable institutions in London.

In the realm of literature, Charles Leadbetter (1847-1918) was a British author and journalist known for his works on occultism and theosophy. He was a prominent figure in the Theosophical Society and wrote several books on esoteric subjects.

Other notable individuals with the surname include John Leadbetter (1760-1833), a British painter and engraver, and Michael Leadbetter (1941-2022), a professional golfer and golf instructor from England.

Throughout its history, the surname Leadbetter has been associated with various occupations, from guides and pathfinders to merchants, authors, and sportsmen, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have borne this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Leadbetter

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Leadbetter.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Leadbetter was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Leadbetter has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Leadbetter was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Leadbetter, please contact us.

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