Surname Legeler - Meaning and Origin

Legeler: What does the surname Legeler mean?

The last name Legeler is believed to originate from Germany, and is derived from the German word "leger", meaning "brilliant" or "bright". This suggests that the original bearer of the name had achieved some sort of great personal success or was well-thought of by their peers.

The name has most likely been in the Legeler family for many generations, and the exact origins remain unknown. Traditionally, it is believed that the Legeler family was from the Eastern parts of the country, though it can also be found in Austria.

Legeler is an occupational name that likely referred to a tradesman engaged in either working with light or a cobbler or a leather worker. This would not be too surprising as the name translates to ‘bright leger’ – someone who excels in their chosen craft.

It is possible that the Legeler family is quite spread out, as those who bear the name have ventured far from their homeland. This could include places such as Canada, the USA, England, Australia, and New Zealand, just to name a few.

Whichever way you look at it, Legeler is a name of distinction and represents someone who has worked hard and achieved all that they dreamt of – and succeeded. It is clear that their hard work and determination to excel in their trade is something that is definitely worth remembering.

Legeler: Where does the name Legeler come from?

Legeler is a Dutch surname, and is most common in the Netherlands and in Dutch-speaking areas of Belgium. It is also seen in other countries where people with a Dutch background have moved to, such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Within the Netherlands, records of the name have been found in records dating as far back as the 1600s, and it continues to be a very common name today. According to the Dutch Address Register in 2019, there were 20928 people recorded with the surname Legeler, making it the 433rd most common Dutch surname. This suggests that it is particularly common in the central and southern provinces, such as North Brabant and Gelderland.

In some Dutch migrants have carried the name with them, and it is also seen in countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States. In Australia, Legeler is ranked as the 37361st most common surname. In Canada, it is the 46,546th most common. Finally, in the United States, it is the 48,620th most common surname.

Overall, the surname Legeler is most common in the Netherlands today and in Dutch-speaking areas of Belgium. It is also seen in countries with large populations of Dutch migrants, such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Variations of the surname Legeler

The surname Legeler is believed to be of Dutch origin, with variants including Leideler, Leegler, Legeller, DeLeeger, DeLeegher, DeLeeger, Legger, and Leggers. It is thought that the name is derived from the Dutch word 'letteler', or 'lettelre', which translates to 'letter-carrier' or 'postman'.

The Dutch spelling generally appears as 'Leideler' or 'Leegler', while German and French-speaking countries tend to use 'Legeller' and 'DeLeeger' respectively. The phonetic variant 'Legger' is more commonly used in England and the United States, while a more refined variation 'Leggers' (with two 'g's) is more often used in Scotland.

Historically, the Legeler name was found in the Rhineland area of Germany, where the early members of the family are believed to have worked as postal workers. By the 16th century, family members had dispersed to other parts of Europe. Today, the Legeler surname is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Great Britain.

The variants outnumbered by the spellings of Legeler by far, and it is likely that most bearers of the surname will have at least one variation in their lineage.

Famous people with the name Legeler

• Arthur Legeler: Ukulele player, singer, and Songwriter.
• Derek Legeler: Former professional soccer player.
• Frans Legeler: Dutch 1924 Summer Olympics gold medalist in cycling.
• Jeroen Legeler: Dutch composer.
• Johan Legeler: Dutch painter.
• Kees Legeler: Dutch cyclist, kale gran fondo participant, and ambassador.
• Lilian Legeler: Dutch politician for the VVD (People's Party for Freedom and Democracy).
• Mark Legeler: Founder of ‘The Legeler Group’.
• Peter Legeler: Scottish, World War II-era British Army Regiment soldier.
• Phil Legeler: American entrepreneur, journalist, and television presenter.

Other surnames

Legel