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Surname Levin - Meaning and Origin

all surnames with 'L'

Unwrapping Ancestry with iGENEA DNA Test: A Personal Reinvention of the 'Levin' Surname

Get a glimpse into the riveting review of a DNA test instigated by iGENEA. Dive into the discoveries of a surname of Jewish, Russian and Scandinavian origins and the sense of fraternity ignited by connected 'cousins' throughout their genealogical journey.

J. Levin

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Levin: What does the surname Levin mean?

Levin is a Jewish surname of Ashkenazi origin. It is derived from the Hebrew personal name Levi, which means "joined" or "attached" particularly in harmony or adhesion. Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah in the biblical Old Testament and he was known as the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, the Levites. Over time, as surnames started to become common, descendants of the tribe of Levi adopted variations of Levi as their surname, including Levin. It essentially indicates a person's descent from the Levite tribe. The Levites were known for their roles as religious leaders and educators in Jewish tradition. Hence, many families with this surname often have a historical connection to roles in religious service. Lastly, this name is used widely in several countries including Russia, Germany, and Sweden, bearing the same or similar meanings. Variations of the name Levin include Levine, Levinsky, and Levitan among others.

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Levin: Where does the name Levin come from?

The surname Levin is of Jewish origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name Levi, which translates to "joined in harmony". This name was originally used for descendants of Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah in biblical times, who became the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israelites called the Levites. The suffix "-in" means "son of or descendant of" in many European languages, so the last name Levin largely translates to "the descendant of Levi."

Levin is common among Ashkenazi Jews, indicating its historical origin in Central and Eastern Europe, specifically regions like Germany, Poland, and Russia. Today, this surname is considerably common in countries with a significant Jewish population or immigration history. These include the United States, Israel, United Kingdom, Canada, and parts of Europe such as Russia, Germany, and Poland. It should be noted that there are variations of the name, like Levine, Levitt, Levy, and others. Some non-Jewish bearers of the surname Levin can be found in Germany and Sweden, but the surname in such cases has different linguistic roots.

Variations of the surname Levin

The surname Levin has several variations and spellings which could be attributed to geographical location or personal preference. It is a common Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname and is derived from the Yiddish personal name Leyb, through the name Lievin. This name is connected to the tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Variations of this surname may include Levine, Leven, Levins, Levens, and Levinsky. It can also have more decorated forms such as Levitan, Leibovich, and Levitt.

Spellings in other languages and cultures may also come into play such as Lévin in French, Lewin in Polish, and Levene in Italian.

There are also patronymic forms such as Levinson or Levinsohn, which means "son of Levin."

However, it is important to note that individuals with these surnames may not always be related or have the same origin given the commonality of the root name. Variants and pronunciations can change over time and generations, possibly creating entirely new surnames altogether. Therefore, genealogical research may provide more precise connections for particular families.

Famous people with the name Levin

  • Preet Bharara: former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
  • Richard Levin: former President of Yale University
  • Ari Levin: Princeton swimmer and U.S. Olympic team member
  • Andrew Levin: Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
  • Bernard Levin: British journalist and broadcaster
  • Ira Levin: Novelist and playwright
  • Joseph Levin: Civil rights activist, founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center
  • Binyamin Netanyahu: Prime Minister of Israel
  • Talia Balsam: American actress
  • Uri Levin: Israeli Member of Knesset

Other surnames

LeviLeVickLevieLevikLevin-EpsteinLevinaLevinasLevineLevingeLevingstonLevingtonLevinsLevinsonLevintonLevinzonLevisLevisonLevistonLevitLevitskyLevitt

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