Leland is a masculine given name of English origin, derived from a surname that itself originated from an Old English place name meaning "fallow land" leah or woodland clearing lying untilled. The name's etymology traces back to the fallow land that was left unplowed for a season—a practice central to medieval crop rotation. The surname Leland is also a shortened form of McLeland or McClellan, which have Irish roots from Mac Giolla Fhaoláin, meaning "son of the servant of Saint Faolán" (Faolán meaning "little wolf"). However, the standard English given name directly evokes the topographic surname from a place by the same name in England. One of the most notable bearers was Leland Stanford (1824–1893), an American politician, railroad magnate (a founder of the Central Pacific Railroad), and founder of Stanford University in memory of his son. His prominence significantly popularized Leland as a given name in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Other notable namesakes include Leland Orser (an American actor) and Leland Sklar (a renowned session bassist). The name also appears in geography: dozens of places across the United States bear the name Leland, including towns and townships in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Mississippi. The name mirrors a trend of surname-given names prevailing in English-speaking countries—particularly drawing on distinguished ancestral lines or geographical origins appealing for their auditory simplicity and association with prestige. Despite medieval origins, “Leland” is rarely common, making it appley to contemporary tastes as a classic, informal appellation.” Meaning: "fallow land" (Old English) Origin: English Type: Given name (transferred from surname) Usage: English Variants: Leland is also an independent surname derived from the same Old English place name; MacLellan … can be a related source.