Surname Levett - Meaning and Origin

Levett: What does the surname Levett mean?

The surname Levett has its roots in Old Norman and is quite prevalent in England. Deriving its origin from the Old Norse personal name "Leifr", it translates to "dear" + "kin" or "beloved relative". After the Norman invasion, this name was Anglicized to Livet or Levett, which later evolved into a family name. The name is typical of an ancient Norman name that survived and thrived in England soon after the Norman Conquest. The surname later made its way to other English-speaking regions, primarily through emigration. Over centuries, the name has branched and diversified into several variants and spellings. Moreover, it has been associated with various notable personalities and historical figures, enhancing its prominence and significance. Therefore, while the exact interpretation of Levett might vary across regions, its primary connotations revolve around love and kinship.

Levett: Where does the name Levett come from?

The last name Levett is of Anglo-Norman origin and is likely derived from the Old Norse personal name "Leifr," meaning "beloved." The name became Levet in France, a popular first name during the Middle Ages. After the Norman invasion of England in 1066, the name was adopted as a surname and slightly changed to Levett.

The name appears in early English records, and the family established roots in Yorkshire, England. Notably, the Levetts were one of the few families granted land by William the Conqueror who still retain lands given to them today, especially in Sussex and Staffordshire.

This surname is most commonly found in England and other English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In these countries, the name exists today in various forms, including Levett, Levet, Levitt, etc. Despite its prevalence in these regions, it’s considered relatively rare. The Levett name is associated with several prominent figures across history, making it significant in genealogical circles.

Variations of the surname Levett

The surname Levett, often associated with Anglo-Norman history, has a few potential variants and spellings due to regional dialects, written records, and pronunciation differences. Some of this name's common variants include Levitt, Levet, Leavett, Levete, Leavitt, and Levette. Levette and levytte are other potential but less common spellings. For surname variations, it's indispensable to consider similar sounding or related names. For example, Lovett and Lovatt can be viewed as surnames of the same origin.

It's essential to remember that in a time of lower literacy rates and diverse dialects, spellings of names were regularly phonetic and varied greatly. Certain clerks, recording the names in tax and church records, may have spelled the name differently. Consequently, reflecting different spellings of the Levett name within historical documents.

Often descent is considered same-origin, so surnames might show a common ancestry with Levett. These can include names where Levett was altered (shortened or extended) to comply with their locality's common naming conventions or used interchangeably through generations. Hannay, DeRosset, Levien are such examples.

Famous people with the name Levett

• Peter Levett: British author, scriptwriter, TV presenter, and theatre director
• John Levett: English archaeologist, historian and former Keeper of the Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities at the British Museum
• Thomas Levett: Tudor courtier
• George Levett: English Member of Parliament from 1621 to 1622
• Jody Levett: British entrepreneur and author
• John Levett: former Anglican priest
• Sir John Levett: English Civil War Army Commander
• Sir Peter Levett: English Civil War soldier
• Sir Cyril Levett: British admiral
• Brad Levett: Australian Rugby League footballer
• Colin Levett: English footballer
• Edward Levett: Australian rules footballer
• Fay Levett: British actress
• Joe Levett: English footballer
• Reginald Levett: English recipient of Victoria Cross
• Charles Levett-Prinsep: British artist
• John William Levett-Prinsep: British writer
• William Doyne Levett: Royal Navy officer
• Henry Levett: English painter
• William Levett: Australian rugby league player

Other surnames

Levet