Lees Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Lees Name Meaning: Originates from the Anglo-Saxon word 'lees' meaning 'fields' or 'pasture'. Also may have originated from 'laye' meaning 'clearing in the woods'.

A name which may have been given to someone who lived or worked in the 'fields/clearing in the woods' or near by.

Discover how your Lees ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Lees Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Lees family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 1,495
Cotton Weaver 245
Coal Miner 144
House Keeper 121
Labourer 83
Dress Maker 70
Domestic Servant 61
Cotton Piecer 60
Agricultural Labourer 56
Cotton Winder 55
Cotton Operative 55
Silk Weaver 54
General Servant 49
Cotton Spinner 45
Annuitant 37
Cotton Reeler 37
Weaver 36
Joiner 32
Silk Winder 31
Woollen Weaver 31
Carter 30
Potter 27
No Occupation 25
Grocer 24
Weaver Cotton 24

Lees Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Lees 100% 81,187
2 Iles 50% 14,947
3 Eales 40% 11,867
4 Leese 80% 9,925
5 Elias 40% 7,792
6 Else 25% 7,360
7 Louis 40% 5,812
8 Loose 40% 2,563
9 Eeles 60% 1,388
10 Louisa 33% 1,162
11 Elis 25% 827
12 Eiles 40% 662
13 Lose 25% 541
14 Leuis 60% 530
15 Louise 33% 444
16 Less 75% 424
17 Leas 75% 413
18 Eles 50% 391
19 Lueas 60% 380
20 Lias 50% 361
21 Eals 25% 348
22 Elsie 20% 313
23 Lease 60% 292
24 Louse 40% 290
25 Ailes 40% 266
26 Leess 80% 255
27 Lase 25% 225
28 Eeeles 50% 209
29 Luis 50% 161
30 Lies 75% 153
31 Oales 40% 151
32 Auls 25% 145
33 Luse 25% 141
34 Laus 50% 134
35 Eels 50% 123
36 Luies 60% 119
37 Elise 20% 113
38 Lus 50% 108
39 Lousia 33% 107
40 Leis 75% 102

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The surname Lees is the most popular version of all its varients

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