Last Name Levinson

The surname "Levinson" is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, derived from a Jewish personal name meaning "son of Lev," with Lev being an occupational name for a descendant of the Levites, one of the three priestly tribes in ancient Israel. The Levites were responsible for assisting the priests during religious ceremonies and maintaining the Tabernacle (the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wanderings in the wilderness). This name was brought to England following the Jewish expulsions from Spain and Portugal in 1492, where it became more widespread among Sephardic Jews.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Levinson

The meaning and origin of the last name Levinson

The surname Levinson is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, derived from the given name Levi (Hebrew for "joined to God") with the addition of the Yiddish diminutive suffix "-son". This surname was primarily found among Jews in Germany and later in Eastern Europe. As many Jews migrated westwards during the 19th and 20th centuries, the Levinson surname spread globally. Today, it is common among Jewish populations worldwide but can also be found among non-Jewish individuals due to assimilation and intermarriage. Notable figures bearing the surname Levinson include composer and pianist Robert Levin and American journalist Mike Levine.

Geographical distribution of the last name Levinson

The surname Levinson has a predominantly Jewish origin and is most commonly found in countries with significant Jewish populations, such as the United States, Israel, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., according to the 2010 Census data, it ranks among the top 35,000 surnames and has a higher concentration in states like New York, Florida, California, and Pennsylvania. In Israel, Levinson is one of the more common Jewish surnames and can be found throughout the country, particularly in the major cities. Canada also sees a significant number of Levinsons, with high concentrations in Ontario and Quebec. The distribution of this surname outside these regions is relatively sparse but may be found in countries with historical Jewish communities like Germany, Poland, Russia, and France.

Variants and spellings of the last name Levinson

The surname Levinson has several variations and spellings. These include Levinson, Levinsen, Levenson, Lewison, Leyonson, and Levenston. Some other less common variants are Lewinson, Lewisen, Levinsen-Gleicher, Levensohn, and Leibsohn, which are sometimes found among Jewish families due to transcription errors or regional dialects. The name is primarily of Ashkenazi Jewish origin and is derived from the Germanic given name Lebo, meaning love, and the Yiddish son, meaning son. This makes it a patronymic surname, indicating a "son of" Lebo. Despite these variations, all forms share a common root in the Levin or Lew families who inhabited Central Europe during the Middle Ages.

Famous people with the last name Levinson

Notable individuals with the surname Levinson include Abraham "Abe" J. Levinson, an American neurologist and researcher, known for his pioneering work on Alzheimer's disease and its diagnosis. Another significant figure is Dan Levinson, an Emmy Award-winning television writer, producer, and showrunner, best known for creating the hit sitcom Cheers. In music, Michael Levinson (also known as Mike Leavitt), a Grammy-winning record producer, songwriter, and musician, has worked with artists such as Prince, Madonna, and U2. Additionally, Dustin Levinson, an American entrepreneur and investor, co-founded the video-sharing platform Vimeo and is currently the CEO of the social media management tool Sprout Social.

Genealogical research on the last name Levinson

The surname Levinson originates from Ashkenazic Jewish communities, primarily in Germany and Eastern Europe. The name is an occupational surname derived from the Yiddish "Levin," meaning "lion" or "metalworker." It is believed to have been first used as a nickname for someone who was strong, brave, or had a fearsome personality, similar to a lion, or skilled in metalworking.

The earliest documented use of the name Levinson dates back to the 13th century in Germany. During the Middle Ages, many Jews bearing this surname lived in areas such as Worms, Speyer, and Mainz. With the rise of antisemitism in Europe, particularly during the expulsions from Spain in 1492 and the religious wars of the Reformation, many Levinson families migrated to other parts of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

In modern times, significant populations of Levinsons can be found in the United States, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, among other countries. Notable individuals with this surname include actors Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon, physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, and business magnate Leonard Riggio. Genealogical research on the Levinson family is often complex due to historical persecution, migration, and assimilation patterns, but extensive records are available in Jewish archives, census data, and online genealogy databases for those interested in tracing their roots.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Levinson"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 15 June 2025

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