The Irish and English surname Leonard is derived from  from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements leo meaning “lion” and  hard  meaning “hardy, brave, or, strong.” The name Leonard was brought to Britain and Ireland following the Norman invasion. When found in Ireland the name Leonard is concentrated in the area around county Fermanagh and is adopted as an English equivalent of the Gaelic name  Mac Giolla Fhionáin. Notable bearers of the surname Leonard include the American Astronomer Wrexie Leonard also known as Louise Leonard, she was an Astronomer who worked as an assistant to Pervival Lowell and published her observations of Mars. The Leonard crater on Venus named for her. She was born in September 1867 and died in November 1937.