Lenard
A variant of the English surname "Leonard," derived from the Germanic elements "leon" (lion) and "hard" (brave or hardy).
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 4,010 Americans carry the last name Lenard. That puts it at #9,412 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.17 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 85,475 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lenard 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
4.0K
1 in 85,475
Census rank
#9,412
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.5K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,455 bearers of the surname Lenard in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.17 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 9412th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lenard, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.3%. The next largest groups are Black (25.4%) and Hispanic (2.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lenard
The surname Lenard has its origins in England, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be a variant of the name Leonard, which is derived from the Germanic elements "leun" meaning "lion" and "hart" meaning "hardy" or "brave."
The earliest recorded instances of the name Lenard can be found in various medieval records, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Leonardus." It is also found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the same period, listed as "Lenard."
During the 14th century, the surname Lenard was particularly prevalent in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, with references found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and the Poll Tax Returns of 1379.
One notable individual with this surname was Sir John Lenard, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in Lincolnshire during the late 14th century. He is mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Scrivelsby from 1382.
In the 15th century, the surname Lenard appeared in various parish records across England, with spellings such as "Lennard" and "Lennerd." This period also saw the emergence of place names derived from the surname, such as Lenard's Green in Buckinghamshire.
During the 16th century, the surname Lenard was carried by several notable individuals, including William Lenard (c. 1510-1580), a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London. Another figure was Sir Sampson Lenard (1545-1615), who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1609.
In the 17th century, the surname Lenard continued to be well-represented in England, with several prominent individuals bearing the name. One such figure was Samuel Lenard (1625-1689), a renowned Puritan minister and author who served as the rector of Langford, Essex.
Another notable individual with this surname was Sir Thomas Lenard (1638-1712), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire in the late 17th century. He was also a prominent supporter of the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
As the centuries progressed, the surname Lenard continued to be found across various regions of England, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lenard
Among Census respondents with the surname Lenard, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.3%. The next largest groups are Black (25.4%) and Hispanic (2.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Lenard 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 Lenard surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White68.3%
- Black or African American25.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.9%
- Two or more races2.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lenard 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #9,412 | #9,412 | 0.0% |
| Count | 3,455 | 3,455 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.17 | 1.17 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Lenard bearers went from 3,455 to 3,455 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #9,412 to #9,412.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Lenard
FAQ
Lenard surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lenard?
The surname Lenard holds position #9,412 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 4,010 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.17 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lenard surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lenard, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.3%. The next largest groups are Black (25.4%) and Hispanic (2.9%). 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.