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

LeFear, 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 LeFear surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of LeFear in America

LeFear is the 158432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The LeFear surname appeared 102 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 LeFear.

The history of the last name LeFear

The surname LEFEAR has its origins in France, with the earliest records dating back to the 12th century. The name is believed to have derived from the Old French word "lefer," meaning "the smith" or "the ironworker." This suggests that the name was initially given as an occupational surname to those who worked as blacksmiths or ironmongers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Cartulaire de l'Abbaye de Saint-Père de Chartres, a medieval manuscript from the 12th century, which mentions a certain "Guillelmus Lefere" in 1187. Another early reference is found in the rolls of the Taille of Paris in 1292, where a "Jehan Lefere" is listed.

During the Middle Ages, the name was commonly spelled as "Lefere," "Lefer," or "Leferre," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. Some early bearers of the name include Robert Lefere, a merchant from Rouen documented in 1315, and Jehan Lefere, a landowner in Normandy mentioned in the Ancien Rolle des Fiefs in 1366.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent further modifications and adaptations. In England, the name was anglicized to LEFEAR, and records show individuals with this spelling as early as the 16th century. One notable example is William LEFEAR, a merchant from London who is mentioned in the Parish Registers of St. Dunstan's in the West in 1584.

In the 17th century, the name appears in various historical records, including the Oxford University Registers, which lists a Thomas LEFEAR in 1635, and the Hearth Tax Rolls of Essex in 1671, where a John LEFEAR is recorded as a landowner.

Among the notable figures in history bearing this surname are:

1. Jacques LEFEAR (1590-1654), a French mathematician and astronomer known for his contributions to the study of optics.
2. Elizabeth LEFEAR (1673-1741), an English philanthropist and benefactor who founded several schools and almshouses in London.
3. Charles LEFEAR (1801-1879), a French artist and painter renowned for his landscape and genre paintings.
4. Henry LEFEAR (1832-1901), an American businessman and industrialist who established the LEFEAR Steel Company in Pittsburgh.
5. Marie LEFEAR (1876-1948), a French author and novelist known for her works on social issues and women's rights.

Throughout its history, the surname LEFEAR has been associated with various professions, from blacksmiths and merchants to academics and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who have borne this distinguished name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name LeFear

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

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 LeFear 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.

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 LeFear was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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