Surname Levet - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Levet: What does the surname Levet mean?
The surname Levet is of French origin and derives from the Old French word "levet," which means "the lever" or "the rising." This could possibly refer to an early riser or someone who works with levers. The name may have been originally used as a nickname or an occupational name for a person who worked with levers, such as a technician or engineer. Alternatively, it could refer to a person who wakes up or rises early, demonstrating characteristics such as diligence and hard work. Like many other surnames, it also could have been indicative of a person's residence. Thus, it could possibly denotate people who lived in a place that was named Levet. As surnames became hereditary, the original meaning could have faded, leaving the name as an identifier of familial relations.
Order DNA origin analysisLevet: Where does the name Levet come from?
The surname Levet is of French origin and believed to have originated from the Old French word 'levet', meaning 'light or delicate'. The surname could have originally been a nickname for a person of light-hearted nature or a light-footed, agile individual.
It is also thought that it could be linked to clothing, with 'levet' referring to a kind of lightweight cloth. In this context, Levet could have been a surname for dealers in this cloth or for tailors who often used this material. Additionally, it's worth noting that in Middle Ages France, levée was a term used for tax or levy on specific goods - including cloth - which could potentially link the origins of the name to that profession.
Today, it's somewhat widely spread in France. However, it is also common in other English-speaking countries, such as the USA, Canada, and the UK, due to French emigration throughout history. Despite these concentrations, it remains a relatively uncommon surname overall.
Variations of the surname Levet
The surnames Levet, Levett, Leavett, Levit, and Lovett are variants of each other. Primarily found in France and England, they share a common origin and are considered very old surnames. The surname Levet is of French origin, believed to be derived from the Old French 'leuet', meaning 'the young wolf'.
The variant Levett is more commonly found in England, and there are prominent families in Yorkshire and Sussex of this name. This name also made its way to America and has further variations like Leavitt and Levit there.
Lovett is another similar surname found in the rain regions of Norfolk and Suffolk. This variant came about through anglicization of the original name and adopted local phonetics.
Levet could also have been given to a person who was lively or high-spirited, derived from the Old French word 'levare', which means 'to rise'. In this derivation, surnames like Levitt and Levit can be found.
Remember, spelling variations in surnames were common due to various factors such as illiteracy, translation errors and Anglicisation. Hence, these variations of the same name occur.
Famous people with the name Levet
- André Levet (1859–1939), French Colonial official
- Gabriel-Auguste Daubrée (1814–1896), French mineralogist and geologist known as Daubrée-Levet
- Jean Levet (1550–1615), French poet and playwright
- Yohann Levet (born 1990), French ice dancer
- Alain Levet (born 1954), French sprint canoer
- Philippe Levet (born 1953), French Olympic sprint canoer
- Jacques Levet (born 1931), French Olympic sprint canoer
- Romain Levet (born 1988), French volleyball player
- Jérémy Levet (born 1975), French Olympic sprint canoer
- Olivier Levet (born 1975), French comedian, TV host and actor