UK surname
A variant spelling of the Jewish surname Levi, meaning "joined" or "attached."
In the 1881 census there were 90 people recorded with the Levie surname, ranking it #20,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 44, ranked #35,224, down from #20,965 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Christ Church Spitalfields, Bothwell and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Levie is 105 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 51.1%.
1881 census count
90
Ranked #20,965
Modern count
44
2016, ranked #35,224
Peak year
1901
105 bearers
Map years
1
1901 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Levie surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Levie surname density by area, 1901 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 81 | #19,457 |
| 1861 | historical | 46 | #28,170 |
| 1881 | historical | 90 | #20,965 |
| 1891 | historical | 82 | #26,494 |
| 1901 | historical | 105 | #22,179 |
| 1911 | historical | 55 | #27,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 46 | #33,077 |
| 1998 | modern | 44 | #33,462 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 41 | #33,889 |
| 2001 | modern | 42 | #33,658 |
| 2002 | modern | 40 | #34,133 |
| 2003 | modern | 49 | #33,456 |
| 2004 | modern | 52 | #33,418 |
| 2005 | modern | 47 | #34,011 |
| 2006 | modern | 44 | #34,568 |
| 2007 | modern | 45 | #34,699 |
| 2008 | modern | 42 | #34,994 |
| 2009 | modern | 40 | #35,274 |
| 2010 | modern | 42 | #35,294 |
| 2011 | modern | 40 | #35,395 |
| 2012 | modern | 44 | #35,164 |
| 2013 | modern | 43 | #35,271 |
| 2014 | modern | 46 | #35,155 |
| 2015 | modern | 43 | #35,269 |
| 2016 | modern | 44 | #35,224 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Christ Church Spitalfields, Bothwell, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Glasgow and Nesting. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christ Church Spitalfields | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | Bothwell | Lanark |
| 3 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 4 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 5 | Nesting | Shetland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Levie surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Levie, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Levie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Levie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Levie is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Levie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Levie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "LEVIE" is of Scottish origin, and it is believed to have emerged in the late 13th century. It is thought to be a variant spelling of the name "Leith," which is derived from the Old English word "līð," meaning a sheltered inlet or harbor.
The name "LEVIE" was initially associated with individuals who resided in or near the town of Leith, located in the Scottish Lowlands, just north of Edinburgh. In the 14th century, the town of Leith was a thriving port and played a significant role in the trading activities between Scotland and other European nations.
Early records suggest that the name "LEVIE" appeared in various historical documents, such as the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which contained the names of Scottish noblemen who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. One notable example is Sir Robert de Leith, a Scottish knight who lived in the late 13th century.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name "LEVIE" began to spread beyond the Leith area, with families bearing this surname settling in other parts of Scotland and England. One prominent individual was Sir James Levie (1570-1638), a Scottish merchant and politician who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1628 to 1630.
In the 18th century, the name "LEVIE" was also found in Ireland, likely due to the migration of Scottish settlers during the Plantation of Ulster. One notable Irish bearer of this surname was Sir Patrick Levie (1722-1798), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for County Londonderry.
As the name spread throughout the British Isles, variations in spelling emerged, such as "Levi," "Levey," and "Levey." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and phonetic spellings.
Other notable individuals with the surname "LEVIE" include:
1. William Levie (1735-1811), a Scottish naval officer and explorer who participated in Captain James Cook's voyages to the Pacific Ocean. 2. John Levie (1819-1895), a Scottish-born American industrialist and philanthropist who founded the Levie Iron Works in Pennsylvania. 3. Mary Levie (1854-1939), a Scottish writer and journalist who advocated for women's rights and education. 4. Alexander Levie (1880-1952), a Scottish lawyer and author who wrote extensively on international law and the laws of war. 5. David Levie (1906-1986), a Scottish-born American lawyer and legal scholar, known for his contributions to the development of the laws of armed conflict.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Levie surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Aberdeenshire leads with 25 Levies recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.81x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeenshire | 25 | 31.81x |
| Middlesex | 16 | 1.89x |
| Angus | 14 | 17.81x |
| Shetland | 10 | 115.34x |
| Lanarkshire | 7 | 2.55x |
| Perthshire | 5 | 13.13x |
| Kinross-shire | 3 | 139.53x |
| Essex | 2 | 1.19x |
| Ross-shire | 2 | 8.58x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.74x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.88x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.63x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aberdeen St Nicholas in Aberdeenshire leads with 18 Levies recorded in 1881 and an index of 122.37x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 18 | 122.37x |
| Islington London | 10 | 12.16x |
| Nesting Lunnas Whalsay | 10 | 1315.79x |
| Aberdeen Old Machar | 7 | 42.66x |
| Glasgow | 7 | 14.36x |
| Liff Benvie | 5 | 41.88x |
| St Martins | 5 | 2272.73x |
| Inverkeillor | 4 | 816.33x |
| Bethnal Green London | 3 | 8.14x |
| Dundee | 3 | 10.22x |
| Kinross | 3 | 405.41x |
| Whitechapel London | 3 | 35.84x |
| Abroath St Vigeans | 2 | 625.00x |
| Resolis | 2 | 476.19x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 2.19x |
| Ludborough | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Newport | 1 | 34.13x |
| Wanstead | 1 | 34.13x |
| West Ham | 1 | 2.70x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Levie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Levie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 90 people were recorded with the Levie surname. That placed it at #20,965 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 44 in 2016. That gives Levie a modern rank of #35,224.
A variant spelling of the Jewish surname Levi, meaning "joined" or "attached."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Levie bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.