Leeson is an English name that rose to prominence among the landed families of Leinster.
Where does the Leeson name come from?
Leeson is an English patronymic meaning "son of Leece" — Leece (or Lettice) being a medieval female personal name derived ultimately from the Latin laetitia, "gladness" or "joy." It is therefore one of the relatively uncommon surnames formed from a mother's name. It came to Ireland with English settlers and took firm hold from the seventeenth century onward.
Leeson in Ireland
The name is most strongly associated with Dublin and the surrounding counties of Leinster, where the Leeson family became wealthy and influential — most notably as the family that held the title Earl of Milltown, with estates in the Dublin and Wicklow area. Their prominence left a lasting mark, and the name Leeson is still remembered in Dublin place-names. Today Leeson is found across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leeson mean?
It means "son of Leece," from a medieval personal name derived from the Latin for gladness or joy.
Where in Ireland is the Leeson name found?
Chiefly in Dublin and the surrounding Leinster counties, where the family held the title Earl of Milltown.
Is there a Leeson family crest?
Browse our Leeson Irish family gifts to explore the available collection.