2,084 Letcher members around the world

Letcher Family History

Recorded in the spellings of Leach, Leech, Leitch, Leachman, and Letcher or Litcher, this is an English surname. It was originally given either as a metonymic occupational name, or perhaps as a topographical name. Both origins are Olde English pre 7th century. The first is from the word 'laece' meaning 'a leech', and as such describing a doctor, one who applied 'leeches' for medical reasons. Secondly if topographical it derives from the word 'loecc, from an earlier word 'lacu' and meaning water.