NameCensus.

UK surname

Levinson

Jewish occupational surname referring to a descendant of the Levites, a tribe of religious officials in ancient Israel.

In the 1881 census there were 57 people recorded with the Levinson surname, ranking it #25,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 251, ranked #16,744, up from #25,575 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Hull Holy Trinity and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redbridge, Barnet and Bromley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Levinson is 282 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 340.4%.

1881 census count

57

Ranked #25,575

Modern count

251

2016, ranked #16,744

Peak year

1911

282 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Levinson had 57 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,575 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016, ranked #16,744.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 282 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Levinson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Levinson surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Levinson 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 23 #29,205
1861 historical 17 #31,714
1881 historical 57 #25,575
1891 historical 82 #26,494
1901 historical 224 #14,091
1911 historical 282 #11,915
1997 modern 267 #14,623
1998 modern 265 #15,087
1999 modern 268 #15,070
2000 modern 275 #14,757
2001 modern 262 #15,034
2002 modern 261 #15,369
2003 modern 250 #15,605
2004 modern 245 #15,894
2005 modern 248 #15,721
2006 modern 252 #15,642
2007 modern 245 #16,134
2008 modern 243 #16,397
2009 modern 250 #16,421
2010 modern 255 #16,563
2011 modern 249 #16,684
2012 modern 250 #16,523
2013 modern 263 #16,232
2014 modern 262 #16,380
2015 modern 253 #16,669
2016 modern 251 #16,744

Geography

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Where Levinsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Hull Holy Trinity, London parishes, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Redbridge, Barnet and Bromley. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 Govan Combination Lanark
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Redbridge 020 Redbridge
2 Redbridge 035 Redbridge
3 Barnet 035 Barnet
4 Barnet 033 Barnet
5 Bromley 012 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Levinson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Levinson

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Levinson, 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 Levinson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Levinson 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Levinson is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Levinson 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

Levinson falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Levinson 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 Levinson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Levinson

The surname Levinson is of Jewish origin, derived from the Hebrew male given name Levi, which means "attached" or "joined." The name is believed to have originated in medieval Germany, specifically in the Rhineland region, where many Jewish communities were established during the Middle Ages.

The earliest known record of the Levinson surname dates back to the late 13th century in the city of Mainz, where a man named Moses ben Levi (Moses son of Levi) was documented in a legal document. Over time, the patronymic "ben Levi" evolved into the surname Levinson, indicating a direct lineage from the biblical figure Levi.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the Levinson surname was Rabbi Judah ben Eliezer Levinson (c. 1520-1585), a prominent Talmudic scholar and kabbalist who lived in Krakow, Poland. He was known for his work "Sefer ha-Mikhtam," which explored mystical interpretations of the Torah.

In the 17th century, the Levinson family spread across Europe, with members settling in various communities. One notable figure was Rabbi Yair Hayyim Bacharach Levinson (1638-1702), a renowned rabbinical authority who served as the Chief Rabbi of Worms, Germany.

Another famous Levinson was Isaac Levinson (1688-1756), a Dutch-Jewish poet, and playwright who wrote in both Hebrew and Dutch. His works, such as "Bikkurei ha-Ittim" and "Mas'at Binyamin," explored Jewish themes and experiences in the Netherlands.

In the 19th century, the Levinson surname gained prominence in the United States with the arrival of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. One notable figure was Salmon P. Levinson (1865-1944), a prominent lawyer and philanthropist who served as the president of the Chicago Board of Education and played a significant role in the development of Jewish education in the city.

Throughout history, the Levinson surname has been associated with various place names, including Levinsohn, Levinsonn, and Lewinson, reflecting regional variations and spelling variations over time. However, the core meaning and origin of the name have remained rooted in its Jewish heritage and the biblical figure of Levi.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Levinson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Levinson 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. Yorkshire leads with 10 Levinsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.07x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 10 2.07x
Middlesex 8 1.64x
Derbyshire 7 9.17x
Midlothian 7 10.72x
Staffordshire 7 4.25x
Lancashire 6 1.04x
Durham 2 1.38x
Lanarkshire 1 0.63x
Sussex 1 1.22x
Warwickshire 1 0.81x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Belper in Derbyshire leads with 7 Levinsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 472.97x.

Place Total Index
Belper 7 472.97x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 26.64x
Stoke Upon Trent 7 40.11x
Holy Trinity 6 51.64x
Mile End New Town London 6 625.00x
Hawkshead Monk Coniston 4 2000.00x
Leeds 4 14.66x
Cheetham 2 46.30x
Barony 1 2.51x
Bishopwearmouth 1 8.03x
Brighton 1 6.03x
Kensington London 1 3.69x
St Marylebone London 1 3.84x
Sunderland 1 39.06x
Warwick St Nicholas 1 111.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Fanny 2
Harriet 2
Jane 2
Mary 2
A. 1
Beatrice 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Georgina 1
Isabella 1
Maria 1
Sarah 1
Sophia 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 2
Aaron 1
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Arron 1
Barnet 1
Charles 1
Frank 1
Gro. 1
Henry 1
Isaac 1
Israel 1
James 1
John 1
Judah 1
Lazarus 1
Louis 1
Michael 1
Philip 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Solomon 1

FAQ

Levinson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Levinson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 57 people were recorded with the Levinson surname. That placed it at #25,575 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Levinson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016. That gives Levinson a modern rank of #16,744.

What does the Levinson surname mean?

Jewish occupational surname referring to a descendant of the Levites, a tribe of religious officials in ancient Israel.

What does the Levinson map show?

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