Surname Leclerc - Meaning and Origin

Revealing the Leclerc Legacy: A Personal Journey into My Ancestral Heritage through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Embarking on a genealogical adventure with iGENEA, I traced the origins and history of my proud Leclerc lineage, uncovering a rich tapestry of intellectual heritage rooted in literacy and education. Discovering such an illuminating link with my familial past was thrilling and affirming, enriching my understanding of my ancestry.

B. Leclerc

Leclerc: What does the surname Leclerc mean?

The last name Leclerc is of French origin, derived from the French word "leclerc," meaning "scholar" or "clergy." The surname may be accustomed to denote someone of pious and scholarly demeanor. It is believed to represent an ecclesiastical or para-church office, and may have been adopted as a surname by one who held such a position.

The name can be found in various forms and spellings, such as Leclercq, Leclere, Le Clerc, Leclaire, Leclercx, and more. It has also been anglicized to Clerc. An early usage of the name can be found as early as the 14th century in France, and the family was also spread to Germany and the United States.

The first documented use of the name was from a John Leclercq, listed in a 1339 deed from Flanders. Some early bearers of the name were Bernard Leclerc in Rouen, France in 1496, Johann Leclerc in 1588 in Minden, Germany, and Thomas Leclerc in Paris, France in 1645.

Leclerc entered the United States with the first immigrants bearing the surname, who were prominent figures in the European Huguenot movement that began in the early 1600s as French protestants were persecuted by the Catholic church. Today, the name can be traced to various countries around the world, yet is most recognized as a French surname.

Leclerc: Where does the name Leclerc come from?

The last name Leclerc is most commonly found in France today. It is the 32nd most popular last name in the country, with approximately 77,000 people having that surname. The Leclerc family is so widespread in the nation that their origins can be traced to many regions of France. The surname is believed to have originated from Normandy before becoming widespread due to migration.

Other notable French people with the name Leclerc include General Jean-Baptiste Leclerc, the French army commander who commanded Napoleon's forces in Egypt; Georges Leclerc, the French lieutenant colonel and courageous leader of the Dronne tank crew during the liberation of France in 1944; and slot car driver René Leclerc.

The last name Leclerc is also quite common in certain parts of Canada and the United States, particularly in Montreal, Quebec and its surrounding regions. Many with this last name can trace their roots back to Acadian settlers, with many families having migrated to the region from France in the 18th century in search of a better life.

Additionally, the Leclerc name can be found in many other places around the world, such as Haiti and Belgium. Overall, the last name Leclerc is both historic and widespread, having spanned many varied eras and cultures since its first documented use.

Variations of the surname Leclerc

The surname Leclerc can be written in many different ways, with several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The first variant is the French spelling of Leclerc, which is the most typical form. It is also used in Quebec, where it is pronounced ‘Lekler’.

The second variant is the German spelling of Leclerc, which is ‘Löcker’. This variant is found mainly in the German-speaking countries of Europe, such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The third variant is the Spanish spelling of Leclerc, which is ‘Leche’. It is found mainly in Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Chile and Peru.

The fourth variant of the surname Leclerc is the Portuguese spelling of ‘Leclere’. This variant is commonly found in Brazil and Portugal.

The fifth variant is the Italian spelling of Leclerc, which is ‘Leclerico’. It is the most common variant found in the Italian-speaking regions of Europe, such as Italy and Greece.

Other spellings and surnames of the same origin for Leclerc include 'Leche', 'Leclere', 'Lecerque', 'Lecer', 'Leclaire' and 'Lecce'. Additionally, Leclerc is often Anglicized as ‘Clear’ or ‘Clark’.

All of these spellings and surnames of Leclerc can be found in different areas of the world and have been in use for centuries.

Famous people with the name Leclerc

• Gaspard Leclerc: Rocket Scientist
• Franck Leclerc: Actor
• Ferdinand Leclerc: Actor
• Philippe Leclerc: Military Commander
• Julien Leclerc: Musician
• Étienne Leclerc: Explorer
• Jean-Baptiste Leclerc: Painter
• Benoît Leclerc: Politician
• Marc Leclerc: Basketball Player
• Joseph Leclerc: Politician
• Clémence Leclerc: Actress
• Charles-Émile Leclerc: Politician
• Lise Leclerc: Singer and Songwriter
• Claude Leclerc: Baseball Player
• Gaston Leclerc: Aviator
• Édouard Leclerc: Businessman
• Paul Leclerc: Politician
• Pierre Leclerc: Scientist
• Suzanne Leclerc: Model
• Yves Leclerc: Novelist and Playwright

Other surnames

Leclercq