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

Legister, 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 Legister surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Legister in America

Legister is the 127494th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Legister surname appeared 134 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 Legister.

The history of the last name Legister

The surname Legister originates from England, with roots dating back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "leger," which means a dwelling or abode, combined with the occupational suffix "-ster," indicating someone who oversees or manages something, in this case, a lodging or inn.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Legister can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, where it was spelled as "Legestre." This document was a census-like survey conducted during the reign of Edward I, providing valuable insights into the names and occupations of people living in various counties across England.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, a taxation record from 1327, indicating the presence of individuals bearing this surname in that region. The name was spelled as "Legystre" in this particular document.

The Legister surname is also linked to various place names in England, such as Legister Farm in Leicestershire and Legister Lane in Lancashire, suggesting that some individuals may have adopted the surname based on their association with these locations.

Notable individuals who bore the Legister surname throughout history include:

1. John Legister (c. 1520 - 1589), an English merchant and alderman who served as the Sheriff of London in 1581.
2. Elizabeth Legister (1634 - 1701), a prominent landowner and philanthropist in Dorset, known for her contributions to the local community.
3. William Legister (1672 - 1743), an English clergyman who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire for over three decades.
4. Thomas Legister (1789 - 1867), a notable architect and surveyor responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in Yorkshire.
5. Margaret Legister (1848 - 1923), a prominent suffragette and women's rights activist who campaigned tirelessly for equal voting rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

While the Legister surname may not be as widespread as some other English surnames, its historical roots and connections to various regions and occupations throughout England's past make it a fascinating example of the rich tapestry of surnames that have emerged over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Legister

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

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

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

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