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

Leyser, 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 Leyser surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Leyser in America

Leyser is the 116123rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Leyser surname appeared 139 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Leyser.

The history of the last name Leyser

The surname Leyser has its roots in Germany, with origins tracing back to the medieval period. This name is believed to have originated around the 13th century in the regions that now comprise modern-day Germany. Variations of the name, such as Leiser or Lexer, may also be found in historical documents, reflecting the phonetic interpretations and regional dialects of the time.

The surname Leyser is derived from the Middle High German word "leise" meaning "quiet" or "gentle." It was likely a nickname that became hereditary, used to describe a person's manner or behavior. Historical references indicate that names with similar phonetic patterns were already in use in the regions of Saxony and Thuringia.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Leyser appears in a 14th-century document from the city of Leipzig, a prominent cultural and economic hub in the Holy Roman Empire. Over the centuries, the name spread to various parts of the German-speaking world, carried by migration and economic expansion.

A significant figure bearing this surname was Polykarp Leyser the Elder, born in 1552 and died in 1610. He was a well-known theologian and a professor at the University of Wittenberg. His work and academic contributions to Lutheran theology made him a prominent figure in religious circles during the Reformation period.

Polykarp’s grandson, Polykarp Leyser III, continued the family's intellectual legacy. Born in 1656 and passing away in 1725, he was renowned for his expertise in law and theology. Polykarp III held several high academic positions and was a prolific writer, contributing significantly to the intellectual landscape of his time.

In the realm of music, the Leyser family also produced notable figures. Johann Heinrich Ernst Leyser, born in 1736, was a skilled composer and court musician. His compositions were influential during his lifetime, adding cultural prestige to the Leyser name.

Another important historical figure was Caspar Leyser, a 17th-century physician who also had a notable career. He contributed to the medical field during a time when Europe was seeing significant advancements in science and medicine, reflecting the family's diverse intellectual pursuits.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, numerous members of the Leyser family continued to contribute to various fields including law, medicine, and the arts. Johann Friedrich Leyser, born in 1793, was a distinguished lawyer who played a role in the legal reforms of his time, further cementing the surname's association with intellect and respectability.

The rich history of the surname Leyser is marked by contributions to theology, law, medicine, and the arts, demonstrating the diverse capabilities and resilience of those who bore the name throughout history. The legacy of the Leyser surname is an enduring testament to the impact a family name can have across generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Leyser

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Leyser 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 Leyser was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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