Updated: July 13, 2010

By Christa Fletcher

Ever wonder where those feisty, happy-go-lucky lads came from?

Some believe tales of leprechauns date back centuries in Ireland. The most common stories involve an Irishman finding a spunky leprechaun who brags about his gold. Hearing of his wealth, the man seeks the gold, but does not know where to find it.

More often than not, the leprechaun tricks the man by making him look away, which is when he can finally escape. As legend has it, you can cajole the location of the hidden pot of gold if you keep eye contact because under an intense stare, they are magically bound to tell the truth.

We've had plenty of leprechaun sightings in pop culture - some are the sprite-like figures of the past, while others are just plain mean.

Have a look at our slideshow to find if you've been lucky enough to remember them all -- and don't miss the Clover Rating to find out which ones charm and which ones harm.