The Leach surname

In the 2010 U.S. Census, 44,581 people carried this name — #772 among all U.S. surnames, about 1 in every 6,620 people counted. That is up 2% from 43,666 in 2000.

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What the name means

The meaning of the Leach surname

As an English and Welsh surname

Bardsley classes it as an occupational name: ‘the leech’ — the first of the origins he gives.

An early record he cites: Edmund le Leche, Oxfordshire, 1273 — Hundred Rolls.

His entry covers Leach, Leech and Leachman.

From Charles W. Bardsley, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with Special American Instances (London: Henry Frowde, 1901), p. 473 · public domain.

In the Nordic population registers

55 people named Leach is counted in Sweden.

Sweden’s figure is from 31 December 2022, the last count Statistics Sweden published.

Counted, by country

Sweden (2022) 55

Own calculations based on data from Statistics Sweden (SCB), surnames with at least two bearers, 31 December 2022 — CC BY 4.0 (names with 20 or more bearers shown).

Among the farmers of England and Wales, 1880s

Leach was found among the farmers of 5 counties.

It was most frequent in Devon: 13 in every 10,000 farmers there — about 1 in 769. Guppy counted the farmers listed in each county’s directory and recorded a name only where it reached about 7 in every 10,000; where it does not appear, it was rarer than that, not absent.

Where it concentrates, on the map

Per 10,000 farmers, by county

Devon 13
Cheshire 11
Yorkshire, West Riding 10
Lancashire 9
Cornwall 8

H. B. Guppy, «Homes of Family Names in Great Britain» (London, 1890), alphabetical list of English and Welsh names — public domain · farmers in Kelly’s Post Office Directories of the 1880s, per 10,000 farmers in each county.

In Scotland’s registers today

Leach was recorded 14 times in Scotland’s registers of births, marriages and deaths in 2025.

That made it the 1484th most common name in those registers, shared with others on the same count. In 1975, the first year of the series, the count was 11. Each birth counts the child’s surname, each marriage both partners’ and each death the surname of the person who died — a yearly count of registrations, not of the people who live in Scotland.

National Records of Scotland, «Most Common Surnames, 2025» (published 26 May 2026): every surname recorded 10 or more times in the 2025 registers, and the series from 1975 · different spellings are counted separately — © Crown copyright 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

In the first U.S. census, 1790

233 families named Leach, or a close spelling, were counted in 1790.

Each family is counted by its head. About 1,400 people lived in those households, 6 to a family on average. The table counts it together with 8 other spellings. The table lists white heads of families only, in the twelve states whose 1790 records survive; Virginia’s figures come from state lists of 1782–1785.

Families, by state

Massachusetts 64
Connecticut 35
Pennsylvania 28
Maryland 20
New Hampshire 19
Maine 16
North Carolina 16
New York 13
South Carolina 10
Vermont 5
Rhode Island 5
Virginia 2

U.S. Census Bureau, «A Century of Population Growth from the First Census of the United States to the Twelfth, 1790–1900» (Washington, 1909), table 111, p. 249 — public domain · names carried by at least 100 white persons in 1790.

In print

Leach in American newspapers,
1913–1917.

Newspaper page from Arizona Republican carrying the name Leach
Arizona Republican 1917-10-28
Newspaper page from Pine Bluff Daily Graphic carrying the name Leach
Pine Bluff Daily Graphic 1913-09-10
Newspaper page from Atlanta Georgian carrying the name Leach
Atlanta Georgian 1913-07-05

Chronicling America, Library of Congress — digitised newspapers in the public domain.

In print

Leach in Australian newspapers,
1820s–2000s.

38,200 articles name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Leach. The most, 7,868, date from the 1930s. Victoria has the most articles, but weighed against how much of each state’s press from the same decades has been digitised, the name stands out most in Western Australia, at 1.6 times its expected share.

Articles, by state

Victoria 9,270
Queensland 8,575
New South Wales 8,290
Western Australia 5,309
South Australia 3,652
Tasmania 2,718
ACT (Canberra) 248
Northern Territory 36

Trove, National Library of Australia (trove.nla.gov.au) · articles in its digitised newspapers that name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Leach.

Who carried it

People named Leach,
with a public archive behind them.

  • Simon Leach d. 1708 · politician
  • Benjamin Auber Leach d. 1855
  • Reginald Pemberton Leach d. 1929
  • Elizabeth Mary Bazley d. 1940
  • Isabella Alice Leach d. 1956
  • Maria Isabella Leach d. 1892

Wikidata (CC0) · 10 lives in all are documented under this name.

In the public record

People named Leach,
in the records of 8 countries.

Soldiers, farmers, migrants and neighbours who carried the name and left a trace in public archives. Everyone shown here died long ago or was born more than a century ago.

United States4,024 records

4,024 records of the Leach name in the United States
  • U.S. Army enlistment records, World War II 1,602
  • New York City birth, marriage and death certificates 717
  • Other U.S. records 1,705
  1. Names engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.
    Example: U.S. war memorial
    War record Dickie Lynn Leach

    Born 1945; from Alameda, California. U.S. Army, indirect fire infantryman; killed in action 1968 in Thua Thien, South Vietnam. Buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery, California.

    U.S. National Archives, Defense Casualty Analysis System (public domain); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0)
  2. A United States Selective Service registration card, 1942
    Example: U.S. registration card, 1942
    Military record Philip M. Leach

    Born 1925 in New York. Enlisted 1944 at Fort Dix, New Jersey; driver from Greene County. U.S. Army veteran of World War II; died 1998, buried at St Francis De Sales Cemeter, Elka Park, New York.

    U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0)
  3. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Matilda Leach

    Arrived at New York in 1892 aboard the Aurania from Liverpool and Queenstown, aged 19; nurse. From London, England; bound for Colorado.

    U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted)

Showing 3 of 4,024 records for Leach in the United States.

Counts: U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain) · NYC Department of Records & Information Services, Historical Vital Records (NYC Open Data) · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0) · U.S. National Archives, Flexoline Index Data File (public domain) · U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted) · New York State Department of Health, Genealogical Research Death Index · U.S. National Archives, Famine Irish Passenger Records (public domain) · U.S. National Archives, Defense Casualty Analysis System (public domain) · Sacramento County, Historic Burials (CC BY 4.0) · New York State, Open NY (police and firefighter memorial rolls). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Vietnam Veterans Memorial, photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, 2009 (public domain); U.S. Selective Service registration card, 1942 (public domain); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain).

Australia1,553 records

1,553 records of the Leach name in Australia
  • Victoria passenger lists, 1839–1923 672
  • Victoria wills and probate, deaths to 2001 309
  • Other Australian records 572
  1. An 1829 etching of convicts being rowed out to the prison ship York in Portsmouth Harbour
    Pictured: convicts going on board a prison ship, 1829
    Transportation record Robert Leach

    Transported to Van Diemen's Land aboard the Isabella, sailing from Woolwich in 1842. Native of Petersfield, Hampshire. Applied for permission to marry in Van Diemen's Land in 1851.

    Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0)
  2. An 1829 etching of convicts being rowed out to the prison ship York in Portsmouth Harbour
    Pictured: convicts going on board a prison ship, 1829
    Transportation record John Leach

    Transported to Van Diemen's Land aboard the York, sailing from London in 1829. Native of Kentisbeare, Devon. Applied for permission to marry in Van Diemen's Land in 1844.

    Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Mary Leach

    Arrived in Queensland in 1883 aboard the Earl Granville, aged 24.

    Queensland State Archives (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 1,553 records for Leach in Australia.

Counts: Public Record Office Victoria (CC BY 4.0) · Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0) · Queensland State Archives (CC BY 4.0) · Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection (CC BY) · State Library of Western Australia (CC BY 4.0) · ACT Government, Transport Canberra and City Services (CC BY 4.0) · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · City of Ballarat, Avenue of Honour Plaques (CC BY 3.0 AU). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Prison-ship in Portsmouth Harbour, with the convicts going on board, etching by Edward William Cooke, 1829, Royal Museums Greenwich (public domain); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain).

Canada174 records

174 records of the Leach name in Canada
  • Nova Scotia Archives name indexes 49
  • Canadian Virtual War Memorial 35
  • Other Canadian records 90
  1. The first page of an emigration file from Gündlingen, Baden, 1883
    Example: German emigration file, 1883
    Emigration record Tinah Leach

    Left New York in 1783 aboard the Sovereign, bound for St. Johns, aged 25.

    Nova Scotia Archives. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Nova Scotia.
  2. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Jas Leach

    Came to Ontario in 1882 aboard the Parisian, landing at Halifax, bound for Whites, Ontario; English.

    Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario.
  3. Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Example: Canadian cemetery
    Burial record Lena Leach

    Buried in 1982 at Queen's Park Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, aged 62.

    City of Calgary. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary.

Showing 3 of 174 records for Leach in Canada.

Counts: Nova Scotia Archives. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Nova Scotia. · Veterans Affairs Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Canada. · City of Vancouver. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Vancouver. · City of Calgary. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary. · City of Winnipeg. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Winnipeg. · Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario. · City of Niagara Falls. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Niagara Falls. · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · Halifax Regional Municipality. Contains information licenced under the Open Government Licence—Halifax. · Contains information provided by the City of Waterloo under licence. Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Emigration file, Gündlingen, 1883, Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg, Staatsarchiv Freiburg B 694/1 Nr. 1389 (CC BY 4.0); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, photo by Edgar El (CC BY 3.0).

United Kingdom113 records

113 records of the Leach name in the United Kingdom
  • War Office casualty lists, 1917–1919, among the dead 93
  • St James's burial ground, Euston (London), 1789–1853 13
  • Other British records 7
  1. A First World War roll of honour of the staff of C. & E. Morton Ltd
    Example: roll of honour, 1914–1919
    War record John Leach

    Born 1867 at Ardersier. Served in the First World War. Named in the University of Aberdeen roll of service in the Great War, 1914-1919.

    National Library of Scotland, Rolls of Honour (public domain)
  2. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Eliz Leach

    Buried in 1799 at St James's burial ground, Euston, London, aged 22.

    MOLA and HS2, St James's burial ground data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  3. A petition to the probate court of St. Louis, 1848
    Example: probate petition, 1848
    Probate record Harriet Amelia Leach

    Will proved in 1931; of Caergwle, Denbigh.

    National Library of Wales, Wills Index Cards (CC0)

Showing 3 of 113 records for Leach in the United Kingdom.

Counts: National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · MOLA and HS2, St James's burial ground data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. · National Library of Wales, Wills Index Cards (CC0) · National Library of Scotland, Rolls of Honour (public domain). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: C. & E. Morton Ltd roll of honour, 1914–1919, photo by Adrian S Pye via Geograph (CC BY-SA 2.0); Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0); Petition to the probate court, St. Louis, 1848, Missouri Historical Society (public domain).

New Zealand32 records

32 records of the Leach name in New Zealand
  • Christchurch City cemetery records 26
  • Thames-Coromandel District cemetery records 5
  • Marlborough District cemetery records 1
  1. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Ethel Amelia Leach

    Died 1920, aged 43; buried at Bromley Cemetery, Christchurch, Canterbury.

    Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Thomas Leach

    Buried in 1902 at Shortland Cemetery, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato, aged 51.

    Thames-Coromandel District Council (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Alice Martha Leach

    Died 1927, aged 51; buried at Omaka Cemetery, Marlborough.

    Marlborough District Council (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 32 records for Leach in New Zealand.

Counts: Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0) · Thames-Coromandel District Council (CC BY 4.0) · Marlborough District Council (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0).

Netherlands5 records

5 records of the Leach name in the Netherlands
  • Dutch civil registers (births, marriages, deaths) 3
  • Dutch population registers 2
  1. A marriage entry in the civil register of Tilburg, 1911
    Example: marriage register, 1911
    Marriage record Lewens Leach

    Married in 1945 in Klundert.

    Open Archives, Brabants Historisch Informatie Centrum (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Death record J.e. Leach

    Died 1943 in Ijlst.

    Open Archives, AlleFriezen (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 2 of 5 records for Leach in the Netherlands.

Counts: Open Archives (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Marriage register, Tilburg, 1911, Regionaal Archief Tilburg (public domain); Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0).

France2 records

2 records of the Leach name in France France's national death register, 1970–2001
  1. A page of the death register of Nice, 1930
    Example: French death register, 1930
    Death record Kenneth Stephen Leach

    Born 1929 in the United States; died 1994 in Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas (Dordogne).

    Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte)

Showing 1 of 2 records for Leach in France.

Counts: Insee, Fichier des personnes décédées (Licence Ouverte). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Death register of Nice, 1930, Archives départementales des Alpes-Maritimes (public domain).

Norway1 record

1 record of the Leach name in Norway Norway's 1910 census
  1. A page of the 1910 United States census, Milwaukee
    Example: U.S. census, 1910
    Census record Rubin Leach

    Census of 1910: Drammensvn, Kristiania.

    Arkivverket, Digitalarkivet, 1910 census (CC BY 3.0 NO)

Counts: Arkivverket, Digitalarkivet, 1910 census (CC BY 3.0 NO). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: U.S. census of 1910, Milwaukee (public domain).

Nearby in the index

Surnames next to Leach.

When the index is not enough

This page says where Leach is.
A volume says what happened to it.

Every page in the index is free and stays free. The Heritage Volume is the long form: the full paper trail, the arms, the crossing — bound, and yours.

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