Surname Leery - Meaning and Origin
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Leery: What does the surname Leery mean?
The surname Leery is of Irish origin. It derives from the Gaelic name "O'Laoghaire," which is thought to loosely mean "calf herder." Many Leerys are originally from Kerry, in southwestern Ireland. Over centuries, the name has seen many transformations leading to variants such as Leary, O'Leary, Laoghaire, and others. It's important to note that the term "leery" in English, meaning cautious or wary, doesn't have a connection to people with the surname Leery. The surname's meaning is based on its roots in Gaelic language and Irish culture.
Order DNA origin analysisLeery: Where does the name Leery come from?
The surname Leery is predominantly believed to originate from Ireland, appearing as an anglicized form of the Gaelic name O'Laoghaire, which translates to "calf herder". The name began spreading during the era of the great migrations from Ireland, particularly during the 19th century's Great Famine, when many Irish families migrated to North America and other English-speaking countries in search of a better life.
Today, the surname Leery is more commonly found in the United States than in its country of origin, Ireland. This dispersal pattern is common for many Irish surnames that spread during the Irish diaspora. However, it must also be noted that the surname is rather uncommon and there may be various spelling variants, such as Leary, O’Leary, Leer, and others. The exact distribution and prevalence of these variations could significantly affect where the Leery surname appears most frequently today.
Variations of the surname Leery
The surname Leery is actually quite rare and seemingly unique, with few identified variants, alternative spellings, or similar-origin surnames identified. It is of Irish origin and that could denote a linkage with the Irish name O'Leary, which has a common etymology with the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Laoghaire, denoting a "keeper of calves". Variants of O’Leary could include Learey, Leary, Lary, and Lairay.
However, it is important to remember that the surname Leery may not necessarily be associated with these variations because alternatively, it could also have been derived from somebody who is described as being “leery” which is a Scottish term for being cautious or wary, or even an Irish expression for being sly or underhanded. Therefore, the surname's origin could also be distinct and not related to the other surnames like O'Leary or Leary.
As with many surnames, misspellings can occur due to phonetic transcriptions, creative spellings, or translation errors. With this in mind, the surname Leery could potentially be misspelled as Leary, Lerey, Leeroy, Leerie, or Lerry, among others.
Famous people with the name Leery
- Peter Leery: A German actor and comedian who is best known for his roles in the television series Comme ça dans la vie (Like That in Life) and Alors, onDanse (Let's Dance).
- Kristin Leery: An American actress, singer, and dancer who is well known for her roles in the television series Felicity, Dawson's Creek, and Once and Again.
- Sue Leery: The wife of Peter Leery and a supporting character in the television series Comme ça dans la vie.
- Duchess Flora Leery: An antagonist in the animated series Mysticons.
- Jimmy Leery: A protagonist in the movie Mirror Image.
- Grace Leery: An antagonist in the hit television series Alias.
- James Leery: An actor who played a supporting role in the movie What Happens in Vegas.
- John Leery: An actor who starred in the television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
- Gail Leery: An actress who had a recurring role in the series Brothers and Sisters.
- Emma Leery: An actress who appeared as a guest star in the popular television show House M.D.