Surname Leste - Meaning and Origin
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Leste: What does the surname Leste mean?
The last name Leste is derived from the Portuguese and Spanish word for "west," specifically the western regions of present-day Portugal, Spain, and other European countries. This surname is often used to denote one's ancestry from a region of these countries, as it stands as a reminder of an individual's distant familial roots.
As those with this last name trace their roots back to the Iberian Peninsula, the name is even further linked to the movement of peoples during the Reconquista or the “Reconquest” of Iberia by the major European powers. During this period, the Portuguese and Spanish fought against the Muslims who had colonized the peninsula for centuries.
The name Leste is in some cases a symbol of patriotism, heritage, and even religious belief. During the Reconquista, many people who fought to reclaim Iberia did so out of a sense of patriotism or religious obligation to God.
Today, the surname Leste is nearly ubiquitous amongst those who have ancestors from the Iberian peninsula. It stands as a testament to the strength of the people of Portugal and Spain throughout history and the power of their patriotism and faith.
Order DNA origin analysisLeste: Where does the name Leste come from?
The last name Leste is primarily found today in the Portuguese-speaking world. It comes from the Latin word 'leste', meaning 'east', and indicates a family originally from the east.
In Portugal, Leste is a very common surname, found in all geographical areas. It can also be found in former Portuguese colonies, including much of Africa, parts of India, and in Macau and Hong Kong.
Within these countries, Leste is often associated with people of mixed Portuguese and local lineage. Many of these communities retain their historic ties to Portugal, and still celebrate their Portuguese cultural heritage.
In Brazil, Leste is also a very common surname. It has a longer history than in other parts of the Portuguese-speaking world, with families being recorded in the country since the 16th century. It is found particularly in the north-east of the country, with the largest concentration of people with the last name Leste in the state of Paraiba.
Outside of the Portuguese-speaking world, the surname Leste can be found in France, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United States. However, these countries tend to have only small numbers of people who can trace their origin to the surname.
Variations of the surname Leste
The surname Leste can be written in different ways and is known by various variants and spellings. Variants and surnames of the same origin include L'Est, L'Esté, L'Estée, L'Estell, Leste, Lesté, Lestée, Lestell, Lesteau, Lesteaux, Esté, Estée, Estell, Estellé, Estel, Estelle and Estelles.
This same French aristocratic surname is also associated with variations of its spelling, including L'Esta, L'Este, L'Estel, L'Estale, and Liesse. Other spellings, which occur with less frequency, include Lestes, Lestey, Lesteys, Leste, Valeste, L'Est, Lestilleu, Lestilleux, L'Esle, Lestilieu, L'Estil, Le Steuil, La Steuille, Lisoe, L'Essois, and Lizards.
The root of the surname Leste is derived from the French term "l'est," meaning "east." The French version of the surname also shares the same root with the English and Welsh versions, which have their roots in the Old English or Welsh language word "east market," signifying a location or region to the east of a village or settlement.
In the Spanish language, the same origin surname is spelled Leste with an "s" or Lestes, and in Portuguese, the spelling is Leste with a "t" or Lestes. The Spanish and Portuguese spelling variations of the same surname also appear in other Latin languages, such as Basque, Catalan, Galician and Occitan.
The surname Leste is associated with locations in France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and throughout Latin America. This surname is also common among immigrants to the United States and Canada from French-speaking regions.
Famous people with the name Leste
- Ray Leste: A Brazilian actor who has appeared in several soap operas on television and is known for roles in the films "Amor Estranho Amor" and "Viola Ao Luar".
- Richard Leste: An English actor who is best known for his roles in "Game of Thrones" and "X-Men: First Class".
- René Leste: A noted French author who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925 for his work "Le Grand Meaulnes".
- Helen Leste: A Kenyan politician and former Member of Parliament, who currently serves as the Minister of Youth and Sports in Kenya.
- Margaret Leste: A British actress who won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award in 1999 for her role in the film "The Last of the Blonde Bombshells".
- Louis Leste: A Belgian writer and playwright who wrote the French-language play "Le Cid".
- José Leste: A former Brazilian footballer who played for several Brazilian clubs, as well as the Brazilian national team.
- Jorge Leste: An Argentinian painter and illustrator who was a member of the "Generación del '80" and is known for his landscapes and cityscapes.
- Leonor Leste: A Portuguese singer and songwriter, who is best known for songs such as "Quero o Sol", "Livres em Movimento" and "Música".
- Linda Leste: A Dutch actress who is known for her roles in the television series "Aspe" and for portraying the titular character in the film "Boefje".