Leakes
A surname potentially derived from the Old English word "leac," meaning a vegetable garden or meadow.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Leakes. That puts it at #115,034 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Leakes surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#115,034
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
152
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 152 bearers of the surname Leakes in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 115034th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Leakes, the largest self-reported group is Black at 88.2%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (4.6%) and Two or More Races (3.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Leakes
The surname "Leakes" is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "leac," meaning "leek" or "garden plot." This suggests that the name may have been derived from an occupational or locational source, possibly referring to someone who cultivated or lived near a leek garden.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Leche." This Anglo-Norman spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.
During the 13th century, the surname appeared in various records with spellings such as "Leke," "Leeke," and "Leke de la Leye." These variations reflect the influence of regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling conventions at the time.
Notable historical figures bearing the surname "Leakes" include Sir John Leakes (c. 1563-1628), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Scarborough in the early 17th century. Another prominent individual was Sir Richard Leakes (1622-1696), an English naval officer who served as a captain during the Anglo-Dutch Wars.
In the 18th century, the name appeared in various parish records and local histories, often associated with specific locations or place names. For instance, the Leakes family was documented as residing in the village of Leeke in Staffordshire, England, which likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of their surname.
One notable figure from this period was John Leakes (1739-1819), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Balliol College, Oxford, from 1789 until his death.
Moving into the 19th century, the name "Leakes" continued to be found in various historical records and documents. One prominent individual was William Leakes (1777-1860), a British Army officer and topographer who conducted extensive surveys and studies of ancient Greek sites in the Ottoman Empire.
Throughout its history, the surname "Leakes" has been associated with various occupations, including agriculture, politics, military service, and academia. While the specific origins and meanings may have evolved over time, the name remains a testament to the rich tapestry of English surnames and their connection to the country's cultural and linguistic heritage.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Leakes
Among Census respondents with the surname Leakes, the largest self-reported group is Black at 88.2%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (4.6%) and Two or More Races (3.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Leakes bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Leakes surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American88.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native4.6%
- Unknown or suppressed3.9%
- Two or more races3.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Leakes surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #116,123 | #115,034 | 0.9% |
| Count | 139 | 152 | 9.4% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Leakes bearers went from 139 to 152 (+9.4% change). The surname moved up 1,089 positions in the national ranking, going from #116,123 to #115,034.
FAQ
Leakes surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Leakes?
The surname Leakes holds position #115,034 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Leakes surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Leakes, the largest self-reported group is Black at 88.2%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (4.6%) and Two or More Races (3.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.