The family has been long-established in North Yorkshire, in the region north-east of York and south of the North York Moors. It is particularly associated with Ganton and can trace a presence there to the 1500s: the baronetcy is identified with Ganton, and Sir John's father, grandfather and great-grandfather were also all from Ganton and were, incidentally, also all called John. Other associated places are concentrated around the eastern part of the old North Riding, along the Vale of Pickering and include Ryedale, Malton, past Ganton, to Scarborough. To the south of this area, there is some association with places in the old East Riding, such as Watton, and Anlaby now on the outskirts of Hull.
The surname is generally pronounced Ledge-yard, but has also been spelled, and pronounced, Le Gard.[citation needed] It is said this name can be traced to the Norman Conquest. [citation needed] Confusingly, some first names recur in successive generations: the name John was popular for 7 generations in succession.
Digby has also been used for 4 generations in succession; both names still recur as additional names, particularly Digby. The name Thomas is also popular over the generations. Distinctive names used as given names include Digby, Darcy (or D'Arcy) and Anlaby.
Family members
The eleventh Baronet was Chairman of the East Riding of Yorkshire County Council and also represented Scarborough in the House of Commons.
Several other members of the family, all descendants of the fifth Baronet, have also achieved some prominence. They are from two branches:
Descendants of the Reverend William Legard, the fourth son of the fifth Baronet:
James Anlaby Legard (1805–1869), eldest son of the Reverend William, was a captain in the Royal Navy.
Sir James Digby Legard KCB (1846–1935), eldest son of James Anlaby, was a colonel in the British Army.
Alfred Legard (1878–1939), son of Sir James, was another colonel in the British Army and was also a first class cricketer.
Percy Legard (1906–1980), grandson of Sir James and nephew of Alfred, was a lieutenant-colonel in the British Army, a Commando leader and an Olympian, in both Summer and Winter disciplines. He competed in the Summer Games of 1932 and 1936 and in the Winter Games of 1936 and 1948. His Summer discipline was the modern pentathlon and the Winter disciplines were, firstly – and uniquely for a British person – the nordic combined, and then the winter pentathlon.
Descendants of Digby Legard (1766–1797), the sixth son of the fifth Baronet:
D'Arcy Legard (1873–1953), great-grandson of Digby, was a brigadier-general in the British Army.
Jonathan Legard (1961-date), grandson of the brigadier-general and nephew of Antony, is a well-known sports journalist with the BBC.
Bethany Le Gard (1992-date), aka DnBethh, is the 5th great granddaughter of Digby Legard and Francis Creyke. She is a recording artist and performer, with work supported by BBC Introducing. In 2012 she achieved a spot in the nu urban top ten drum&bass download charts with a remix of her vocals in a track named ‘Helio’ and in 2020 hit the top ten National Artists ReverbNation chart with the release of her track Valour.
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