leifs

Leifs is an Icelandic surname that appears in some families as a fixed last name derived from the given name Leif. In this form, Leifs traces its roots to the Norse name Leif, which has been common in Nordic cultures for centuries.

The given name Leif itself comes from Old Norse Leifr, traditionally interpreted as meaning “descendant” or “heir.” As a surname, Leifs is linked to this origin and is most closely associated with Iceland, where historical and modern records occasionally include it as a family name. It is relatively uncommon but recognized within Icelandic genealogical and biographical contexts and among the Icelandic diaspora.

Notable individuals with the surname include Jón Leifs (1899–1968), an Icelandic composer known for incorporating Icelandic folk and Norse themes into his orchestral works. As with many Icelandic names, Leifs may appear in various spellings or forms in historical documents and among descendants of Icelandic communities abroad, reflecting different genealogical lineages and naming practices.