Explore the Family Name Levant
The meaning of Levant
1. Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic): occupational name from German Leinwand ‘linen’ changed under the influence of the geographic name Levant, with the same meaning in Russian as in English. 2. French (northern): from levant ‘east’, a topographic name for someone who lived in the eastern part of a town or settlement, or outside it to the east; or a habitational name for someone who had migrated westward (and so was regarded as coming from the east).
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Levant in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Levant has witnessed a slight decline over the last decade. In 2000, it ranked at 54,643 but dropped to 56,588 by 2010, indicating a decrease of 3.56%. Despite this decrease in ranking, the actual count of individuals with the Levant surname increased slightly from 353 in 2000 to 361 in 2010, marking a growth rate of 2.27%. However, as a proportion per 100,000 people, the occurrence of the surname decreased by 7.69%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #54,643 | #56,588 | -3.56% |
| Count | 353 | 361 | 2.27% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.13 | 0.12 | -7.69% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Levant
As for the ethnic identity associated with the surname Levant, substantial shifts can be observed between 2000 and 2010 based on the Decennial U.S. Census data. The percentage of white individuals with this surname decreased from 54.67% to 48.75%, whereas the Hispanic community saw a remarkable increase of 213.07%, rising from 2.83% to 8.86%. The Black community witnessed a very minor growth, from 39.38% to 39.61%. Interestingly, the percentage of those identifying with two or more ethnicities dropped by 14.54%, and no changes were reported for the Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native groups.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 54.67% | 48.75% | -10.83% |
| Black | 39.38% | 39.61% | 0.58% |
| Hispanic | 2.83% | 8.86% | 213.07% |
| Two or More Races | 2.27% | 1.94% | -14.54% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |