Lavant
A surname derived from a geographic location or place name.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Lavant. That puts it at #73,911 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lavant surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#73,911
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
262
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 262 bearers of the surname Lavant in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 73911th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lavant, the largest self-reported group is Black at 91.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.3%) and White (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lavant
The surname Lavant is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from the place name Lavant, which is located in the county of Sussex, England.
The name Lavant itself is thought to be derived from the Old English words "laf" meaning "remnant" or "leavings," and "ant" meaning "hill" or "ridge." This suggests that the original place name referred to a hill or ridge where remnants or leftovers were left behind, perhaps from agricultural activities or settlements.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Lavant can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Sussex, which date back to the late 13th century. This document mentions a family by the name of Lavant residing in the area, indicating the surname's long-standing presence in the region.
In the 14th century, records show that a John de Lavant was a member of the clergy and held the position of Rector of Lavant in 1349. This historical reference provides further evidence of the surname's connection to the Sussex locality.
Another notable bearer of the Lavant surname was Sir Lewis Lavant, who lived during the 16th century and served as a member of Parliament for the borough of Midhurst in Sussex from 1558 to 1559.
Moving into the 17th century, the Lavant surname gained prominence with the life of Richard Lavant, a prominent merchant and landowner born in 1625. He was known for his involvement in the trade of wool and other commodities, and his descendants continued to play a significant role in the local community.
In the 18th century, Charles Lavant, born in 1712, was a prominent figure in the legal profession and served as a barrister at the Inner Temple in London. His contributions to the field of law and his legal expertise were widely recognized during his time.
Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, the Lavant surname was associated with the arts and literature. One notable figure was Elizabeth Lavant, born in 1824, who was a celebrated poet and author. Her works, which explored themes of nature and the human condition, gained critical acclaim and contributed to the literary landscape of the era.
These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have carried the Lavant surname throughout the centuries, originating from the historic locality of Lavant in Sussex, England.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lavant
Among Census respondents with the surname Lavant, the largest self-reported group is Black at 91.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.3%) and White (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Lavant bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Lavant surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American91.2%
- Hispanic or Latino5.3%
- White2.3%
- Unknown or suppressed1.1%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lavant surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #73,154 | #73,911 | -1.0% |
| Count | 247 | 262 | 6.1% |
| Per 100K | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Lavant bearers went from 247 to 262 (+6.1% change). The surname moved down 757 positions in the national ranking, going from #73,154 to #73,911.
FAQ
Lavant surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lavant?
The surname Lavant holds position #73,911 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lavant surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lavant, the largest self-reported group is Black at 91.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.3%) and White (2.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.