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

Lleshi, 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 Lleshi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lleshi in America

Lleshi is the 85357th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lleshi surname appeared 219 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 Lleshi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Lleshi to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Lleshi

The surname LLESHI has its origins in Albania, with the earliest records of this name dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Albanian word "llesh," which means "wool," suggesting that the name may have been associated with the wool trade or textile industry.

LLESHI is predominantly found in the northern and central regions of Albania, particularly in the towns of Shkodra, Lezha, and Kruja. These areas were historically known for their thriving wool and textile production, which could have contributed to the emergence of this surname.

One of the earliest documented references to the LLESHI surname can be found in the records of the Venetian Republic, which controlled parts of Albania during the 15th and 16th centuries. These records often listed Albanian names and surnames of individuals involved in trade or other economic activities with the Venetians.

In the late 16th century, a notable figure named Gjergj LLESHI was mentioned in a chronicle documenting the Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire. He was described as a local leader from the town of Kruja, known for his bravery and military tactics against the Ottoman forces.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the LLESHI surname appeared in various historical documents and records, including church registers, property deeds, and tax records. One prominent individual was Ndok LLESHI, a wealthy merchant and landowner from the city of Shkodra, who lived in the early 18th century.

In the 19th century, the LLESHI family produced several notable figures, including Pal LLESHI (1820-1893), a Catholic priest and scholar who contributed to the preservation of Albanian culture and language during the Ottoman rule. Another significant figure was Mikel LLESHI (1845-1912), a political activist and writer who advocated for Albanian independence from the Ottoman Empire.

The 20th century saw the continuation of the LLESHI legacy, with individuals like Ndre LLESHI (1906-1989), a renowned artist and painter whose works captured the traditional Albanian life and landscapes. Additionally, Mirash LLESHI (1932-2003) was a respected novelist and playwright, known for his works that explored themes of Albanian identity and cultural heritage.

While the LLESHI surname is primarily associated with Albania, it has also been found in neighboring regions, such as Kosovo and North Macedonia, potentially due to migration and cultural exchanges throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lleshi

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

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 Lleshi 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Lleshi has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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