Surname Le Squire - Meaning and Origin
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Le Squire: What does the surname Le Squire mean?
The surname "Le Squire" is of French origin and essentially translates to "The Squire". A "squire" historically referred to a young nobleman acting as an attendant to a knight before becoming a knight himself. This role acted as a form of apprenticeship for knighthood. Therefore, "Le Squire" could indicate that the family originally came from a lineage of individuals who served as squires. Over time, surnames adapted from positions or occupations became commonplace, as families passed them down through generations. However, it's important to note that the exact origin and meaning of "Le Squire" could vary significantly depending on regional and family histories. Specific meanings could also be lost or altered over time.
Order DNA origin analysisLe Squire: Where does the name Le Squire come from?
The last name Le Squire is most commonly found in countries with historically significant French populations. Today, the name is predominantly found in France, where records indicate it is recorded as most prevalent in the Brittany region. It is also well-represented in Canada, particularly in Québec.
The Le Squire surname may also be encountered in the United States, particularly in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and California, where it has been in use since the 18th century. The earliest known Le Squire in North America was Joseph Le Squire, who arrived in Louisiana territory from France in 1719.
As the name suggests, the Le Squire origins are likely French in nature. Records indicate that the name was first established in Brittany, where a family from the region of Haut-Poitou first bore the surname.
Given the proud French heritage of this surname, it is likely that the Le Squire name continues to be used proudly by descendants in all of the countries where it is commonly encountered.
Variations of the surname Le Squire
The surname Le Squire is of French origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, which are detailed below. It is also sometimes referred to as ‘Squire’.
Variants of the surname include: Lesquaire, Le Squier, Le Scuiar, Lescoire, Lesquire, and Lesquiere. Note that ‘Le’ may also be spelled as ‘L’.
Variants of the spelling of Le Squire include: Lesquier, Lesquyer, L’esquire, Lesquire, Lescyer, L'esquire, Lesquior, Lesquir, and L'eschessiere.
Surnames of the same origin include: Squire, Squires, Squiresse, Le Squires, Lesquires, and Squirrell.
In France, the origin of the name Le Squire is believed to date back to the Middle Ages. There are records of L’Esquires (literally ‘the Squire’), living in Normandy, France, before the 11th C. It is thought this name may be derived from Latin, and is possibly associated with the Latin word ‘Scutarius’, meaning ‘shield bearer’.
By the 16th C, the name had spread across Northern France and Southern England. Subsequent records indicate that a family carrying the name of Le Squire resided in the West of England during the 17th century.
The Le Squire family appears to have arrived in the United States in the 1730s. The name is today still popular in America, with the most common variant spelled Le Squire, but with other spellings and surnames still in use.
Famous people with the name Le Squire
- Joseph Le Squire: British composer, pianist, and viola player.
- Robert Le Squire: British agriculturalist and political theorist.
- Harry Le Squire: British cricketer and actor.
- Alfred Le Squire: British Anglican priest and landowner.
- Charles Le Squire: British painter, churchman, and author.
- William Le Squire: British politician and doctor.
- Frederick Le Squire: British actor and theatre manager.
- Sir George Le Squire: British businessman and politician.
- Patricia Le Squire: British actress.
- Edward Le Squire: British artist and painter.