Leech (surname)

Leech is a surname of English origin. It is believed to be derived from several possible sources:

• Occupational: The most common origin is occupational, referring to someone who was a physician or healer. In medieval times, leeches were commonly used in medical practices for bloodletting, a practice believed to cure or alleviate various ailments. Thus, a person who applied leeches would be known by this name.

• Topographical: It could also be a topographical surname, referring to someone who lived near a swamp or area frequented by leeches. The Old English word "læce" could refer to a slow-moving stream or a watery place.

• Nickname: In some rarer instances, it might have been a nickname. This is less common but possible, perhaps relating to someone perceived as tenacious or blood-sucking in a metaphorical sense.

The surname is found primarily in England, but has also spread to other English-speaking countries, particularly the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to migration.

Variations of the surname may include Leach, Leechman, and Lech.

Notable people with the surname Leech include:

• (List notable people with the surname if known, for example: "Jonny Lee Miller, an actor whose middle name is Leech.")