Leslie
/ˈlɛzli/noun
A given name and surname of Scottish origin, traditionally derived from a place-name in Fife.
Did you know?The surname Leslie is linked to the Scottish barony of Leslie in Fife, and its traditional Gaelic interpretation connects the place-name with a holly-covered enclosure.
Etymological Timeline
Early Medieval Period
Gaelic
lios
“Enclosure, fortified place, or garden”
Early Medieval Period
Gaelic
cuilinn
“Holly”
Medieval Scotland
Gaelic/Scots
Lesly
“A place-name traditionally interpreted as an enclosure associated with holly”
12th Century
Latin/Scots
de Lesslyn
“Of Leslie; an early territorial surname identifying someone from the place”
Modern English
English
Leslie
“A Scottish surname and given name”