Surname Levitt - Meaning and Origin

Levitt: What does the surname Levitt mean?

The surname Levitt has Jewish origins and is a derivative of the Hebrew name "Levi," which means "joined" or "attached." It originated from the biblical tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Levites were designated as priests and assistants in the Tabernacle, dedicated to serving God and the Israelites. Individuals with this last name may have ancestors who were members of this tribe. However, the name could also have been adopted by Jewish families for its symbolic significance or simply because of its popularity. As with many Jewish surnames, different spelling variations can be found, including Levit, Levitz, and Levi. It is important to note that not all individuals with the surname Levitt are of Jewish descent, given the complexity of surname derivation and adoption.

Levitt: Where does the name Levitt come from?

The surname Levitt is of Jewish Ashkenazi origin. It is believed to be derived from the Hebrew name 'Levi' which translates to 'joining' or 'attached'. Levi was one of the sons of Jacob and Leah in the Old Testament of the Bible, and the surname is often associated with the tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Variants of the name Levitt can include Levit, Leveritt, Levitov, and others, each carrying its own specific regional origin within the Ashkenazi Jewish communities.

Today, the surname Levitt is common amongst Jewish diaspora across the world. However, it is most prevalent within English-speaking countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Within these countries, it is spread across various regions rather than being concentrated in a specific area. This distribution is unsurprisingly due to the history of Jewish migration over the past centuries. However, it should be noted that not all Levitts are Jewish, as the surname may also be adopted or changed for various reasons not connected to Jewish ancestry.

Variations of the surname Levitt

The surname Levitt likely originates from a Hebrew name, corresponding to the tribe of Levi. There are many alternative spellings and variations of this surname which are influenced by different cultures, languages, and periods. These include Levit, Levitts, Levitov, Levitz, Leavitt, Levet, Levett, and Levytt. Some surnames including 'Levi' could potentially be connected as well.

For Jewish surnames in particular, there are usually numerous variations due to the phonetic translations from the Hebrew to various languages. The surname might also have been altered over time due to migration, colloquial pronunciations, or simplification. Therefore, it is important to note that while these surnames may have similar origins, tracing back exact genealogical connections can be complex and may require more detailed research.

Famous people with the name Levitt

• Edward Levitt: Edward Levitt was an American actor best known for his role as Jerry Masterson in the sitcom The Joey Bishop Show.
• David Levitt: David Levitt is a film producer whose credits include Home Alone 2, 3 and 4, Candyman, and The Addams Family.
• Seth Levitt: Seth Levitt is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He has appeared in various films and TV shows, including Scrubs, Ally McBeal, and Simple Simon.
• Joseph Levitt: Joseph Levitt was an American lawyer who served as the director of the United States Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 2001 to 2013.
• Steven Levitt: Steven Levitt is an American economist known for his work on crime, education and health economics. He is the co-author of the best-selling book, Freakonomics.
• Hillel Levitt: Hillel Levitt was a Jewish-American rabbi and scholar of Jewish thought. He wrote several books on Jewish philosophy and Orthodox Judaism.
• Harry Levitt: Harry Levitt was an American architect best known for his role in the development of the modern skyscraper.
• Jack Levitt: Jack Levitt was an American physicist best known for his research on the properties of magnets.
• Elliott Levitt: Elliott Levitt was an American film star and television personality best known for his role in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
• Michael Levitt: Michael Levitt is a British-American biophysicist who won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in developing computer models to simulate biological processes.

Other surnames

LevitLevitsky