NameCensus.

UK surname

Levey

Derived from the Old French term for "rising ground" or "raised land," likely referring to an elevated dwelling place.

In the 1881 census there were 388 people recorded with the Levey surname, ranking it #8,141 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 738, ranked #7,396, up from #8,141 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stanstead Mountfitchet, London parishes and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bracknell Forest, Tendring and Newham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Levey is 797 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 90.2%.

1881 census count

388

Ranked #8,141

Modern count

738

2016, ranked #7,396

Peak year

2002

797 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Levey had 388 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,141 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 738 in 2016, ranked #7,396.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 730 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Levey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Levey surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Levey 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 186 #11,024
1861 historical 231 #10,572
1881 historical 388 #8,141
1891 historical 550 #6,881
1901 historical 633 #6,780
1911 historical 730 #5,868
1997 modern 754 #6,859
1998 modern 784 #6,871
1999 modern 775 #6,959
2000 modern 775 #6,949
2001 modern 764 #6,890
2002 modern 797 #6,794
2003 modern 768 #6,880
2004 modern 759 #6,963
2005 modern 746 #6,997
2006 modern 736 #7,092
2007 modern 745 #7,091
2008 modern 741 #7,166
2009 modern 779 #7,031
2010 modern 790 #7,101
2011 modern 773 #7,144
2012 modern 746 #7,259
2013 modern 763 #7,237
2014 modern 762 #7,268
2015 modern 744 #7,345
2016 modern 738 #7,396

Geography

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Where Leveys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stanstead Mountfitchet, London parishes, St Dunstan Stepney, St Leonard Bromley and Tottenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bracknell Forest, Tendring, Newham, Bolton and Wakefield. 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 Stanstead Mountfitchet Hertfordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
4 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)
5 Tottenham Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bracknell Forest 004 Bracknell Forest
2 Tendring 006 Tendring
3 Newham 034 Newham
4 Bolton 031 Bolton
5 Wakefield 023 Wakefield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Levey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Levey

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Levey, 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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Levey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Levey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Levey is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Levey 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

Levey falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Levey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Levey

The surname Levey is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "lefey," which referred to a person who was a huntsman or a gamekeeper. This name was likely given as an occupational surname to individuals who held such professions during the medieval period.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents, including the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, which mentions a "William le Leuey." Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 list a "John Levey," indicating the presence of this surname in different regions of England during that time.

One notable historical figure bearing the name Levey was Sir Walter Levey, a prominent English lawyer and judge who lived during the 16th century (c. 1550-1621). He served as a member of Parliament and was appointed Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1619.

In the 17th century, the name appeared in various parish records, such as the christening of Thomas Levey in St. Mary's Church, Putney, London, in 1674. This document provides evidence of the surname's continued use and presence in the capital city.

During the 18th century, a notable individual was John Levey (1730-1798), an English engraver and cartographer known for his work on maps and charts for the British Admiralty. His contributions to the field of cartography were significant at the time.

Another person of note was Sir Walter Levey (1776-1853), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He distinguished himself in several battles and was awarded the prestigious Order of the Bath for his valiant service.

In the 19th century, one of the most prominent figures with the surname Levey was William Levey (1828-1892), an English architect and designer. He was responsible for the construction of several notable buildings in London, including the Holloway Sanatorium and the former Islington Public Library.

These examples illustrate the long-standing presence of the surname Levey in England, with roots stretching back to the medieval period. The name has been associated with various occupations and individuals who have made significant contributions in fields such as law, cartography, military service, and architecture throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Levey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Levey 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. Middlesex leads with 92 Leveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.46x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 92 2.46x
Essex 71 9.63x
Surrey 32 1.76x
Kent 30 2.35x
Lancashire 27 0.61x
Gloucestershire 20 2.73x
Hampshire 20 2.61x
Sussex 18 2.86x
Hertfordshire 13 5.05x
Angus 7 2.02x
Derbyshire 7 1.20x
Warwickshire 7 0.74x
Cheshire 6 0.73x
Northumberland 6 1.08x
Suffolk 5 1.10x
Yorkshire 5 0.14x
Staffordshire 4 0.32x
Norfolk 2 0.35x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.40x
Berkshire 1 0.36x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.42x
Durham 1 0.09x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.35x
Midlothian 1 0.20x
Monmouthshire 1 0.37x
Oxfordshire 1 0.43x
Somerset 1 0.17x
Westmorland 1 1.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex leads with 29 Leveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1559.14x.

Place Total Index
Stansted Mountfitchet 29 1559.14x
Bromley London 21 25.55x
Stroud 20 140.25x
Tottenham 16 26.89x
Stanstead 15 2459.02x
Hound 12 230.77x
Birchanger 10 1639.34x
Croydon 9 8.91x
Orpington 9 230.77x
Salford 9 6.90x
Islington London 8 2.21x
Mile End Old Town London 8 10.06x
Battersea 7 5.09x
Dundee 7 5.42x
Lambeth 7 2.15x
Paddington London 7 5.10x
Balcombe 6 535.71x
Bethnal Green London 6 3.70x
Cubbington 6 476.19x
Fulshaw 6 394.74x
Westgate 6 17.43x
Deptford St Nicholas 5 49.41x
Southampton St Mary 5 10.38x
Sudbury St Gregory 5 136.99x
Takeley 5 471.70x
Bow London 4 8.41x
Bradford 4 19.28x
Cheetham 4 12.10x
Codicote 4 259.74x
Colchester St Botolph 4 63.80x
Derby All Sts 4 81.80x
Ifield 4 152.09x
Layton With Warbreck 4 24.59x
Putney 4 23.49x
St George Hanover Square 4 6.08x
Brighton 3 2.36x
Camberwell 3 1.26x
Chislehurst 3 43.86x
Deptford St Paul 3 3.05x
East Barnet 3 58.71x
Great Hallingbury 3 375.00x
Hackney London 3 1.43x
Keymer 3 67.42x
Leeds 3 1.44x
Lewisham 3 4.41x
Milton In Gravesend 3 15.70x
Plumstead 3 7.06x
St Pancras London 3 1.00x
Titteworth 3 155.44x
Bishop Stortford 2 23.26x
Clapham 2 4.28x
Derby St Peter 2 10.74x
Diss 2 40.65x
St Bartholomew Hyde 2 109.29x
St Botolph Aldgate London 2 26.01x
Ugley 2 384.62x
Wardleworth 2 7.90x
Welwyn 2 89.69x
Whitechapel London 2 5.43x
Ambleside 1 39.37x
Battle 1 23.53x
Derby St Alkmund 1 5.70x
Hampstead London 1 1.72x
Hatfield Broad Oak 1 40.16x
Kensington London 1 0.48x
Leamington 1 16.03x
Little Berkhampstead 1 185.19x
Liverpool 1 0.37x
Manchester 1 0.50x
Mansfield 1 5.74x
March 1 12.63x
Oxford St Giles 1 9.08x
South Shoebury 1 33.78x
St Marylebone London 1 0.50x
Twickenham 1 6.24x
Watford 1 5.01x
Westminster St James 1 2.60x
Westminster St Margaret 1 5.55x
Westoe 1 1.59x
Winsford 1 161.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Sarah 14
Elizabeth 13
Ellen 9
Annie 7
Emily 7
Emma 7
Eliza 6
Florence 6
Kate 6
Alice 5
Caroline 5
Jane 5
Hannah 4
Nancy 4
Ada 3
Agnes 3
Ann 3
Esther 3
Anne 2
Beatrice 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Ethel 2
Harriet 2
Helena 2
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Rachel 2
Anna 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
Emmeline 1
Everline 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
Isabella 1
Jess 1
Joseph 1
Julia 1
Katie 1
Leah 1
Lensa 1
Louie 1
Louise 1
Lydia 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 16
James 15
William 13
George 12
John 12
Charles 11
Henry 11
Joseph 7
Edward 6
Abraham 5
Robert 5
Alfred 4
Arthur 4
Ernest 4
Herbert 4
Harry 3
Samuel 3
Christopher 2
Frank 2
Fredrk. 2
Lewis 2
Mark 2
Michael 2
Richard 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Allen 1
Andrew 1
Bertram 1
Chorles 1
Cryl 1
David 1
Emanl. 1
Emily 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
H. 1
Harman 1
Harris 1
Infant 1
Isaac 1
Jacob 1
Jemmy 1
Marsena 1
Patrick 1
Percy 1
Robt. 1

FAQ

Levey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Levey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 388 people were recorded with the Levey surname. That placed it at #8,141 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Levey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 738 in 2016. That gives Levey a modern rank of #7,396.

What does the Levey surname mean?

Derived from the Old French term for "rising ground" or "raised land," likely referring to an elevated dwelling place.

What does the Levey map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Levey 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.