Summary

The surname LEARY is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name O Laoghaire, meaning 'descendant of Laoghaire'. Laoghaire was a personal name meaning 'calf herder'. The surname has a rich history and is associated with the ancient kings of Ireland.
There are
15505
Learys in the USA
Leary is the
2351st
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Leary

TimothyLeary

Timothy Leary was an American psychologist and writer known for his advocacy of psychedelic drugs and the counterculture movement of the 1960s. He popularized the phrase 'Turn on, tune in, drop out' and conducted experiments with LSD.

DenisLeary

Denis Leary is an American actor, comedian, and writer known for his sharp and irreverent humor. He is best known for his roles in the TV series 'Rescue Me' and films like 'The Ref' and 'Ice Age.'

TimothyMichael

Timothy Michael Leary was an American professional baseball pitcher who played for several Major League Baseball teams from 1959 to 1972. He was known for his exceptional fastball and was a seven-time All-Star.

MaryJo

Mary Jo Leary was an American lawyer and women's rights advocate. She co-founded the Women's Legal Defense Fund, which provided legal assistance to women in need, and played a key role in landmark women's rights cases.

MichaelLeary

Michael Leary is an American entrepreneur and co-founder of the multinational airline Ryanair. He has been instrumental in the company's low-cost business model and its success as one of Europe's largest airlines.

JohnLeary

John Leary was an Irish politician and member of the Irish Republican Army. He played a significant role in the Irish War of Independence and later served as a member of the Irish Dáil and as Minister for Education.

SuzanneLeary

Suzanne Leary is a Canadian author and poet. She has published multiple poetry collections and is known for her introspective and evocative writing style.

FrankLeary

Frank Leary was an American football player and coach. He played as a center for the Detroit Lions and later served as the head coach of the Washington State Cougars football team.

JohnLeary-Joyce

John Leary-Joyce is a British automotive engineer and designer. He founded the automotive design consultancy JJAD and has worked on projects for various car manufacturers.

Myles-Leary

Myles-Leary is a fictional character in the video game 'Fire Emblem: Three Houses.' He is one of the playable characters and a member of the Black Eagles house at the Officer's Academy.

Leary Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Leary' is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name 'Ó Laoghaire', which means 'descendant of Laoghaire'. The name Laoghaire is associated with an ancient Irish king of the same name.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Leary' is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in the province of Munster. It is also present in other English-speaking countries with Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Leary' include 'O'Leary', 'Leery', 'Leir', 'O Lehery', 'Liry', 'Lery', 'Lairey', 'Leyry', 'O Cleary', and 'McLeary'. These variations can reflect different spellings or anglicizations of the original Gaelic name.
Migration and ImmigrationMany people with the surname 'Leary' have migrated from Ireland to other countries, particularly during periods of Irish emigration such as the Great Famine in the 19th century. The name has also been carried by Irish immigrants to the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.