Aggressive cat - any tips to stop it?

[Chocolatecake12]

We rescued our cat a couple of years ago as a 1 yr old. We were told his owners had to move to a new home and couldn’t take pets. I think the real reason was because he’s a tad aggressive. But we will never know.
He is really jumpy, arches his back and tail gets big if you make a sudden noise. He will attack your legs as you’re walking past and chase you up the stairs going for your legs. He will enjoy a nice stroke and then turn on you suddenly biting and claws out. We always on our guard.
He’s now 3, I thought this behaviour would have changed now that he’s in a loving home and he’s got a bit older but sadly not. He’s been castrated.
Any advice? Any tips to stop him attacking us?
We do love him and would never give him up but my poor arms and legs have had enough.

It might be the way the cat has been previously treated by the other owners. I don't have real advice but feliway plug ins may help to calm him down?

Does the cat have plenty of high places for him to relax?

Does he have a big cat tree with sleeping places as suggested by a PP? Do you play with him using toys to get him to leap and try to catch the toy? He is young so needs a lot of exercise! Finally, some cats dislike 'over petting' and will respond to it by scratching. Could this be happening? He may just need more play with a toy like a swishy feather toy to make him jump and leap. It could be boredom. Or feeling threatened. Both can be fixed by getting him a place he can climb up to that is 'his' and more play.

He sounds fearful/anxious
I would reduce all interactions with the exception of a small amount of calm petting (stop before he attacks) and only do this when he seeks out affection.

Make sure he has plenty of cat friendly hiding spots and retreats, especially high space.

Is he an indoor or an outdoor cat? Does he ever interact with other cats?
Use fishing toys or laser pointers to give him an outlet for his energy

I have a 19 year old rescue cat I've had for 15 years who has always been like this, biting everyone who got in her way.
Her personality changed completely when my husband left a few years ago and she became a complete cuddle bug. Turns out she hates men.
Once the man was removed she became the cat of my dreams.

He is allowed outside to roam and has gotten in a couple of fights with other cats. He has a large cat tree with a high platform to lay on and a nest to sleep in. He also jumps up onto a high unit to look down on us. And he loves a windowsill.
He has lots of toys! Lots of interaction with me and my ds’s who play with him.
Thank you for your advice, I’ll try the feliway plug. And I’ll try and keep my distance!

I like that you've said you won't give up on him.. alot of posters and owners just give up and end up giving them away without sorting out the problem. Good luck, i hope it works out 🤞🏻😻

Is the stairs thing play? Lion cubs go for adult lions legs like that.

Does he have a signal fuss time is over? Pupils dilating or his fur rippling or he looks at where your hand is or his tail flicks at the tip?. It can be a blink & you miss it signal.

You could try zylkene capsules mixed in his food, it’s very calming.