Legesse
A surname indicating Ethiopian heritage, derived from the Amharic language.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 480 Americans carry the last name Legesse. That puts it at #51,396 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.14 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 714,072 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Legesse 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
480
1 in 714,072
Census rank
#51,396
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
405
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 405 bearers of the surname Legesse in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 51396th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Legesse, the largest self-reported group is Black at 95.1%. The next largest groups are White (1.5%) and Hispanic (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Legesse
The surname Legesse is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, where it is a fairly common family name. The name is derived from the Amharic word "lege," which means "envoy" or "ambassador." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who worked as an envoy or messenger in the past.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Legesse can be traced back to the 16th century in various historical documents and manuscripts from the Ethiopian Empire. For example, there are records of a man named Legesse Berhan, who served as a diplomat and advisor to Emperor Sarsa Dengel in the late 1500s.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, several prominent individuals bore the surname Legesse. One notable figure was Legesse Amba, a military leader and governor who played a key role in the campaigns of Emperor Fasilidas against the Oromo people in the early 1600s.
Another historical figure with the surname Legesse was Legesse Gebre Michael, a scholar and writer who lived in the late 17th century. He is known for his works on Ethiopian history and theology, including a chronicle of the reign of Emperor Iyasu I.
In the 19th century, a man named Legesse Gebregziabher served as a governor and military commander under Emperor Tewodros II. He was involved in several battles against rebel forces and played a significant role in the expansion of the Ethiopian Empire during that time.
One of the most famous individuals with the surname Legesse was Legesse Zere, a renowned painter and artist who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Ethiopian art and is known for his intricate religious paintings and murals.
While the surname Legesse has its roots in Ethiopia, it has also been found in other parts of the world, likely due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and historical significance are deeply tied to the rich cultural heritage of Ethiopia.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Legesse
Among Census respondents with the surname Legesse, the largest self-reported group is Black at 95.1%. The next largest groups are White (1.5%) and Hispanic (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Legesse 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 Legesse surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American95.1%
- White1.5%
- Hispanic or Latino1.5%
- Two or more races1.2%
- Unknown or suppressed0.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Legesse 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 | #78,326 | #51,396 | 34.4% |
| Count | 227 | 405 | 78.4% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.14 | 75.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Legesse bearers went from 227 to 405 (+78.4% change). The surname moved up 26,930 positions in the national ranking, going from #78,326 to #51,396.
FAQ
Legesse surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Legesse?
The surname Legesse holds position #51,396 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 480 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Legesse surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Legesse, the largest self-reported group is Black at 95.1%. The next largest groups are White (1.5%) and Hispanic (1.5%). 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.