NameCensus.

UK surname

Levins

Derived from the Hebrew name "Levi," referring to a descendant of the biblical tribe of Levi.

In the 1881 census there were 36 people recorded with the Levins surname, ranking it #28,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 137, ranked #25,254, up from #28,559 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Eden, Welwyn Hatfield and Kensington and Chelsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Levins is 149 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 280.6%.

1881 census count

36

Ranked #28,559

Modern count

137

2016, ranked #25,254

Peak year

2002

149 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Levins had 36 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,559 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 137 in 2016, ranked #25,254.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 70 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Levins surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Levins surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Levins 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 37 #26,673
1861 historical 70 #24,911
1881 historical 36 #28,559
1891 historical 56 #29,638
1901 historical 61 #27,379
1911 historical 57 #27,099
1997 modern 143 #21,761
1998 modern 147 #21,935
1999 modern 147 #22,110
2000 modern 148 #21,971
2001 modern 143 #22,133
2002 modern 149 #22,001
2003 modern 148 #21,866
2004 modern 134 #23,425
2005 modern 137 #23,110
2006 modern 147 #22,221
2007 modern 146 #22,596
2008 modern 147 #22,720
2009 modern 148 #23,141
2010 modern 144 #24,147
2011 modern 149 #23,408
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 142 #24,547
2014 modern 141 #24,855
2015 modern 141 #24,723
2016 modern 137 #25,254

Geography

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Where Levins' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Eden, Welwyn Hatfield, Kensington and Chelsea, Harborough and Corby. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Eden 003 Eden
2 Welwyn Hatfield 016 Welwyn Hatfield
3 Kensington and Chelsea 004 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Harborough 008 Harborough
5 Corby 006 Corby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Levins

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Levins

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Levins, 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 Levins surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Levins 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Levins is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Levins is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Levins falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Levins 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Levins

The surname Levins is of English origin, derived from the medieval given name Leven, itself a diminutive form of the name Levi. The name Levi derives from the Hebrew word "Levi," meaning "joined" or "attached," referring to one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The earliest known record of the Levins surname dates back to the late 13th century in the county of Yorkshire, England. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a Willelmus filius Leuen, or William, son of Leven, residing in Yorkshire during that time.

In the early 14th century, the Levins surname appeared in various historical records, such as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, which listed several individuals with the surname Levyns or Levyngs, likely variations of the same name.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the Levins surname. However, it does mention several places with similar-sounding names, such as Leventon in Berkshire and Levinton in Yorkshire, which may have contributed to the development of the Levins surname over time.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Levins surname was John Levins, a prominent English author and scholar born around 1540. He is best known for his work titled "The Pathway to Knowledge," published in 1596, which was a popular book on natural history and science during the Elizabethan era.

Another notable figure was Sir Creswell Levins (1601-1661), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Worcestershire during the English Civil War. He was a staunch Royalist and actively supported King Charles I's cause against the Parliamentarians.

In the 18th century, Robert Levins (1722-1802) was a celebrated English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Church of St. George in the East and the Royal Mint.

During the 19th century, William Levins (1825-1892) was a renowned English botanist and horticulturist. He made significant contributions to the study of plant physiology and was credited with introducing several new plant species to England from other parts of the world.

Finally, in the early 20th century, Henry Levins (1901-1978) was a prominent English businessman and philanthropist. He founded the Levins Corporation, a successful manufacturing company, and donated generously to various charitable causes throughout his lifetime.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Levins families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Levins 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. Surrey leads with 10 Levins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.84x.

County Total Index
Surrey 10 5.84x
Essex 8 11.54x
Lancashire 5 1.20x
Middlesex 5 1.42x
Cheshire 3 3.87x
Yorkshire 2 0.57x
Cumberland 1 3.31x
Durham 1 0.96x
Inverness-shire 1 9.53x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Grays Thurrock in Essex leads with 8 Levins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1250.00x.

Place Total Index
Grays Thurrock 8 1250.00x
Southwark St Saviour 8 444.44x
Great Neston 3 1153.85x
Liverpool 3 11.85x
St Pancras London 3 10.61x
Barnsley 2 55.71x
Guildford Holy Trinity 2 606.06x
Middleton In Oldham 2 160.00x
Hampstead London 1 18.28x
Kensington London 1 5.12x
Kiltarlity 1 384.62x
St Cuthbert W O Carleton 1 1250.00x
Stockton On Tees 1 19.84x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 2
Agnes 1
Anne 1
Bridgett 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Elizabeth 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Henrietta 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Marian 1
Marianne 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 3
Thomas 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Elijah 1
Fredk.G. 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
John 1
Patrick 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Walter 1
William 1

FAQ

Levins surname: questions and answers

How common was the Levins surname in 1881?

In 1881, 36 people were recorded with the Levins surname. That placed it at #28,559 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Levins surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 137 in 2016. That gives Levins a modern rank of #25,254.

What does the Levins surname mean?

Derived from the Hebrew name "Levi," referring to a descendant of the biblical tribe of Levi.

What does the Levins map show?

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