Surname Levinton - Meaning and Origin
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Levinton: What does the surname Levinton mean?
The last name Levinton is of Jewish origin, and it is thought to have derived from the town of Levanon in Palestine. The name is also found in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia.
The literal meaning of Levinton is "son/offspring of Levi". Levi was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, recorded in the Christian Bible as a Patriarch of the Israelites. Those who carry this last name are often considered a Levi Tribe, descended from the Tribe of Levi which is one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The last name Levinton is also known to have derived from the word “levon” – meaning “lion” in some Jewish traditions. This could suggest a sense of bravery, leadership and excellence, traits that would have been helpful to the Tribe of Levi and their descendants.
Levinton is not a common surname, and it is considered to be quite rare. Occasionally the name is modified to Levintan, for example, and more often in non-Jewish communities. It is generally thought to have been adopted since the 16th century, primarily by Jewish people who left Palestine to seek new homes in other countries.
No matter the spelling, the name Levinton may have been an expression of courage, prowess and a reverence for Jewish culture and history, qualities which passed down and have been revered for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisLevinton: Where does the name Levinton come from?
The last name Levinton is most commonly found today in the United States. In the 2010 census, the last name was ranked as the 13,220th most popularly occurring last name in the United States. It is most heavily concentrated in the state of New York, with residents of the state making up the largest demographic of individuals with the last name Levinton.
The surname Levinton likely has roots in the Jewish culture and belief system. It is quite similar to the traditional Jewish name Levin, which means “son of Gibor,” or “son of a hero.” It is thought that the name Levinton appears in a wide range of European countries, and was likely adopted by families emigrating to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, the last name Levinton is becoming less common in the United States, with more individuals preferring to adopt or keep their original family name rather than changing it when they arrive in the United States. With more people from all backgrounds and cultures living in the United States, the popularity of the last name Levinton is slowly declining.
Variations of the surname Levinton
Levinton is a surname with multiple variants, spellings, and relatives of French, German and Jewish origin. In France, it is spelled Lévinton or Lévintone. It likely comes from the old Occitan word “levanti” meaning “clear” and also likely means “little lion.”
In Germany, Levinton is spelled Löfwinten. This variant likely originates from the old Germanic name “Leofwine” meaning “dear friend.”
In Jewish culture, this surname is more often spelled something like Levintov or Levintow and likely stems from the Hebrew name Levi meaning “uniter” or “hearty.”
Some common variants of the surname Levinton include Lewinton, Levintan, Levinten, Levánter, Levinter and Levinston. Some common related surnames include Lefwin, Leffwin, Lefwinth, Leffwint, and Lefven.
Overall, the surname Levinton has varied origins and many related spellings and surnames. Its origins and variants show the diversity of its tracing and its many sources through the French, German and Jewish cultures.
Famous people with the name Levinton
- Benji Levinton: Israeli singer, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur. Also known as the “King of Pop”.
- Yehuda Levinton: Israeli TV personality, comedian, theatre actor, and radio host.
- Tuvia Levinton: Israeli lawyer and former mayor of Jerusalem.
- Albert Levinton: German-Lithuanian painter and sculptor.
- Ernest Levinton: German-born movie director, film producer, and screenwriter.
- Richard Levinton: American attorney, political commentator, and public policy analyst.
- Jonathan Levinton: Canadian poet, scholar, writer, and translator.
- Theo Levinton: Dutch cartoonist, illustrator, and fine artist.
- Nathalie Levinton: French actress best known for her roles in the television series “Les Filles du Nord” (1985) and “Paris: Los Angeles” (1988).
- Jerry Levinton: American comedian, actor, and musician.
- Karen Levinton: British actress best known for her roles in the television series “The Beat Goes On” (1994:2005) and “Kenny & Kim” (2005).
- Rachel Levinton: American journalist and Pulitzer-Prize winning author.
- Micky Levinton: British actor best known for his roles in the films “Single Spies” (1993) and “The Blind Schoolmaster” (2002).
- William Levinton: American film director, television producer, and screenwriter.