Surname Lewinson - Meaning and Origin

Lewinson: What does the surname Lewinson mean?

The last name Lewinson is a Jewish surname, believed to be derived from the Biblical name “Levi”, which was a common Jewish name among European peoples in medieval times. The name Levi is thought to be derived from the Hebrew word for “joined”, suggesting a shared ancestry or common root among those sharing the name and their descendants.

Those who bear the name Lewinson are broadly thought to have an Eastern European origin, though it has also been known to be associated with Germany and Poland. The name is believed to have been in use since the 1500s when many Jewish individuals fled persecution in their homelands to spread out across Europe. This undoubtedly added to the variation in the usage of the name from country to country.

The meaning behind the name is still uncertain. As such, the name has picked up various meanings over the years, some believe it to be a reference to the biblical figure of Levi and his family, while others believe it to be a reference to tasked with congregating stones. It is even thought to refer to being seen as “a good lewison”.

The name has been used by many famous figures over the years, such as Jennie Lewinson, a Scottish pioneer who was awarded for her efforts in campaigning for women’s rights, Rembrandt Ḥayyim Lewinson, a famous journalist and philosopher, and Phil Lewinson, an English composer and Arranger with a legacy of popular songs.

In summation, the name Lewinson has become emblematic of a long lineage of individuals who have fought for their rights against discrimination and whose legacy continues to this day. The name still carries a lot of significance in the modern day, comprising of many people with different histories, yet all linked by one name.

Lewinson: Where does the name Lewinson come from?

The last name Lewinson is today primarily found in the United States, though the history and origin of the name suggests it may have come to the United States from a number of other countries including England. In 2020, there were 6,863 people with the name Lewinson living in the United States. The highest concentrations of those with the name Lewinson are in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas.

One of the earliest documented cases of the Lewinson name in the United States is among the German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. A record of one Michael Lewinson is found from as early 1740.

The last name Lewinson has also been found in several other countries, primarily England, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. The name is derived from a patronymic name and likely originally indicated someone whose father's name may have been Levin, Lewis, or some other variation of the name.

The name Lewinson appears to have been first made popular with Jewish immigrants. Many of the documented references of the name before 1800 are found from Jewish sources or from German immigrants living in the United States.

Today, the Lewinson family name is found in countries around the world, though the majority of those with the name Lewinson are found in the United States.

Variations of the surname Lewinson

The surname Lewinson is of German origin and has several variants, spellings, and other surnames that are related. The most common spelling is Lewinson, and this name is often written as Lewenson, Lewensone, Lewinchen, Lewingchen, Lewisone, Lewysone, Lewisson, and Lewisons. Other variants with the same etymological origin include Levinson, Lavan, Levinsone, Levinsohn, Levenson, Lewans, Lewensohn, and Lovinson. Some variants spell the name as Lewins, Lewens, Lewan, Levins, and Levan.

The various surnames are found in different parts of Europe, with Lewinson primarily associated with Germany, and Levinson most commonly found in the Netherlands. Other variants, such as Lewens and Lavan, are found in Lithuania.

The meaning of the surname Lewinson is typically associated with Lion, which reflects the German language root word of the name. Some sources identify the name as a habitational name linked to Lewinsohn, a village in West Prussia.

The name Lewinson would have come to Britain in the 18th and 19th century, through nationals migrating from continental Europe. This would have included those fleeing persecution, such as Jews facing religious persecution. It is also possible it was adopted by members of the Jewish Diaspora as it is believed to be a Jewish-origin surname.

Famous people with the name Lewinson

• Jack Lewinson: American actor and singer best known for his role as Jason Sharpe in the musical adaptation of 13.
• Benny Lewinson: American jazz drummer best known for performing with Dizzy Gillespie and Gerry Mulligan.
• Phil Lewinson: American songwriter and arranger for the 1960s-era rock band The Wrecking Crew.
• Dave Lewinson: American film and television actor best known for his role as Artie Burns on the long running ABC game show The Newlywed Game.
• Paul Lewinson: British music producer and songwriter who has produced well known albums for artists like Radiohead, Oasis, and Beyonce.
• Arlo Lewinson: American singer and guitarist best known for his work on the Grammy Award-winning album The Electric Ladyland.
• Jimmy Lewinson: British actor best known for portraying Boycie in the BBC series Only Fools and Horses.
• Mason Lewinson: American screenwriter, actor, and film producer best known for his work on the short film The Long Goodbye.
• Jordan Lewinson: American stand-up comedian and web-series creator best known for producing and hosting the YouTube series The Gays Are Revolting.
• Laura Lewinson: British entrepreneur and co-founder of the fashion website Mywardrobe.com.

Other surnames

Lewinsohn