Surname Le - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
A Memoir Discovering the Historical Journey of the Le Surname Across East and West Through DNA
Who knew that my surname Le, which I believed had just French origins, would reveal a rich lineage transcending the boundaries of numerous Eastern and Western countries? The DNA test conducted through iGENEA provided an astounding revelation, weaving an intricate tapestry of my ancestry strewn across France, China, and Vietnam, defying my preconceived thoughts and narratives about my family history.
G. Le
read moreLe: What does the surname Le mean?
The last name Le is a common surname among Vietnamese people. It is also found in other parts of Asia, such as China, Netherlands, Korea, and India. In Vietnamese the name Le means “plum”. The plum tree was a symbol of longevity and nobility during the ancient dynasties of Vietnam and as a result the name was adopted.
The name Le can be found in many variations, with different spellings. Common forms of the name include “Leo”, “Lie”, and “Loi”. It may also be spelled as “Lé” or “Lê” by some families.
The Le surname is among the top 10 most common surnames in Vietnam, with some families tracing their lineages back to Imperial China. Other famous members of the family include Nguyen Cong Le, an infamous poet, Kim Lê Phi Long, a 12th-century Vietnamese military leader, and Le van Hien, an important figure in the field of veterinary science.
The Le surname has a long and significant history within the Vietnamese culture, and those who bear the household name carry a certain amount of pride and distinction. Royalty and nobility were often connected to the Le surname, hence making it a popular surname for many centuries. Today, the Le surname continues to exist as a sign of honor, strength, and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisLe: Where does the name Le come from?
The last name Le is common today in various parts of the world. It is most prominent in the nations of Vietnam, China, France, and the United States. In Vietnam, the name Le is the second most common surname, outranking Truong, Nguyen, and Pham, among others. It is also the fourth most common surname in China, following Wang, Li, and Zhang, while it ranks in the top 10 most common names in France.
In the United States, Le is the 297th most common surname according to recent census data. It is found in every state, although its frequency varies by region. In the west coast states of Oregon, California, Washington, and Nevada, the name is more sparse. In the Midwestern states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, it is more common, reflecting the influence of Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian immigrants. The frequency of the name increases moving eastward, however, and it is particularly higher in Florida and the Carolinas.
Overall, the last name Le is common in many regions. From its origins in Asia, it has spread to many parts of the world and can be found in various regions of the United States. Its popularity reflects the growing presence of Asian immigrants in the United States and other countries.
Variations of the surname Le
The surname Le originates from the Middle Ages and is derived from French or Latin words. The most common surnames with the same origin are Lee, Lea, Leigh, Li, Yue and Lay.
In French, the surname Le is derived from the word "le" or "la," which means "the." The French surname Le may have originally been a nickname for someone who was a leader, such as an aristocrat, priest or magistrate, since the word "le" may have been associated with authority.
In Latin, the surname Le comes from the word "Leo," which means "lion." It could have been given as a nickname to someone who had courage, or as a symbol of power.
In some Asian languages, the surname Le is derived from the word "yi," which means "righteous." It could have been given to someone who was honorable or had a high status.
The surname Le can also be spelled as Ley, Lye, Lees, Ly, Les, Leah, Leigh, Li, Lay, Lai, Lye, Yue, or any other variant.
Due to its multi-lingual roots, the surname Le is found in many different cultures and countries, including the United States, France, England, Ireland, China, Korea, Japan and other parts of Asia.
In the United States, the surname Le is especially common among African American and Asian American generations, who adopted the name through immigration. It is also common among Native Americans, who adopted the surname as part of their tribal name.
Famous people with the name Le
- Don Le: Korean-American actor known for roles in Dallas Buyers Club and Inhumans
- Nicholas Le: Malaysian singer-songwriter
- Eugénie Le Sommer: French football player, the all-time leading scorer for the French national team
- Richard Le Counte III: American college football player
- Gaston Le Cam: French mathematician
- David Le: Canadian actor who gained fame in the 1990s for roles in productions such as Practical Magic and The Notebook
- Pham Van Dong Le: former Prime Minister of Vietnam
- Diane Le: French figure skater, competed in the 1960 Winter Olympics
- Andy Le: former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Jean Le Rond d'Alembert: 18th-century French mathematician and philosopher
- Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville: 18th-century French imperial governor
- Le Thi Thu Thao: Vietnamese female discus thrower
- Le Duc Tho: Vietnamese politician, winner of the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize
- Le Hoang Quan: current mayor of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Le Ly Hayslip: Vietnamese-American author
- Le Quang Liem: Vietnamese grandmaster chess player
- Le Quoc Thang: Vietnamese politician, former president of the Supreme People's Court
- Le Thanh Tung: Vietnamese entrepreneur, founder of the VinGroup
- Le Tuan Anh: Vietnamese tennis player
- Le Thuy Duong: Vietnamese actress, known for her roles in the films Lost in Paradise and I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass