NameCensus.

UK surname

Levenson

A Jewish occupational surname derived from the Yiddish word "leven," meaning "lion."

In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Levenson surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 108, ranked #29,578, up from #31,914 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Salford, Barnet and Camden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Levenson is 183 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 800.0%.

1881 census count

12

Ranked #31,914

Modern count

108

2016, ranked #29,578

Peak year

1901

183 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Levenson had 12 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016, ranked #29,578.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 183 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Levenson surname distribution map

The map shows where the Levenson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Levenson surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Levenson over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 9 #31,675
1861 historical 29 #30,287
1881 historical 12 #31,914
1891 historical 80 #26,785
1901 historical 183 #15,996
1911 historical 116 #20,850
1997 modern 125 #23,567
1998 modern 132 #23,394
1999 modern 126 #24,239
2000 modern 123 #24,585
2001 modern 119 #24,733
2002 modern 122 #24,874
2003 modern 116 #25,415
2004 modern 112 #26,159
2005 modern 112 #26,114
2006 modern 110 #26,717
2007 modern 115 #26,348
2008 modern 109 #27,533
2009 modern 118 #26,766
2010 modern 116 #27,704
2011 modern 118 #27,192
2012 modern 108 #28,849
2013 modern 114 #28,347
2014 modern 112 #28,934
2015 modern 109 #29,327
2016 modern 108 #29,578

Geography

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Where Levensons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Bishop Wearmouth and Llandebie. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Salford, Barnet, Camden, South Hams and Epping Forest. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Edinburgh Edinburgh
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 Bishop Wearmouth Durham
5 Llandebie Carmarthenshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Salford 010 Salford
2 Barnet 037 Barnet
3 Camden 017 Camden
4 South Hams 005 South Hams
5 Epping Forest 012 Epping Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Levenson

These lists show first names that appear often with the Levenson surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Levenson

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Levenson, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Levenson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Levenson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Levenson is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Levenson is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Levenson falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Levenson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Levenson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Levenson

The surname Levenson is of Jewish origin, derived from the Hebrew name "Levi." The name first appeared in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in areas with large Jewish populations such as Poland, Russia, and Germany.

The name Levi itself is rooted in the biblical figure of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the ancestor of the priestly tribe of Levites in ancient Israel. The name Levenson emerged as a patronymic surname, indicating descent from someone named Levi.

Historical records show the name Levenson appearing in various forms, such as Levinzon, Levinzohn, and Levinsohn, reflecting regional linguistic variations and spelling conventions. In some regions, the name was also Germanized to Levinstein or Levinstein.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Levenson can be found in the Pinkas (record book) of the Jewish community in Kraków, Poland, dating back to the 16th century. The name appears in various legal documents and community records from that period onwards.

Notable individuals with the surname Levenson throughout history include:

1. Isaac Levenson (1588-1658), a Polish-Jewish rabbi and scholar who authored several influential works on Jewish law and ethics. 2. Mordecai Levenson (1742-1810), a Russian-Jewish philanthropist and businessman who funded the construction of synagogues and schools in St. Petersburg. 3. Sarah Levenson (1857-1932), a British-Jewish author and activist who advocated for women's rights and education. 4. Boris Levenson (1884-1942), a Russian-Jewish architect and urban planner who designed several notable buildings in Moscow and St. Petersburg before fleeing the Soviet Union. 5. Samuel Levenson (1911-1980), an American writer and teacher known for his humorous works on Jewish life and culture.

The name Levenson has also been associated with various place names, particularly in Eastern Europe, where Jewish communities were historically concentrated. For example, the town of Levenets in Belarus was once home to a significant Jewish population and may have derived its name from the surname Levenson.

While the surname Levenson has its roots in Jewish tradition and history, it has since spread worldwide and is now found among diverse communities and cultures. However, its origins and the historical significance of the name remain tied to the Jewish diaspora and the rich cultural heritage of the Levites.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Levenson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Levenson surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 5 Levensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.93x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 5 3.93x
Middlesex 5 4.66x
Midlothian 1 6.96x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Spitalfields London in Middlesex leads with 5 Levensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 617.28x.

Place Total Index
Spitalfields London 5 617.28x
Manchester 4 69.93x
Cheetham 1 105.26x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 17.30x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Levenson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Janety 1
Kate 1
Leah 1
Maggie 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Levenson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Benjamine 1
Jacob 1
Louis 1
Moses 1
Simon 1
Wolf 1

FAQ

Levenson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Levenson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Levenson surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Levenson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016. That gives Levenson a modern rank of #29,578.

What does the Levenson surname mean?

A Jewish occupational surname derived from the Yiddish word "leven," meaning "lion."

What does the Levenson map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Levenson bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.