Find out how popular the last name Lavis is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Lavis.

Lavis, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Lavis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lavis in America

Lavis is the 51066th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lavis surname appeared 408 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Lavis.

We can also compare 2010 data for Lavis to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Lavis

The surname LAVIS is believed to have originated in the beautiful countryside of England, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational surname, derived from a specific place or geographic feature.

One theory suggests that LAVIS may have evolved from the Old English word "læfer," meaning a leafy bower or arbor. This could indicate that the name's origins are tied to a particular area known for its lush foliage or perhaps even a specific homestead or dwelling surrounded by verdant greenery.

Alternatively, some scholars propose a connection to the Old French word "lavandière," referring to a washerwoman or laundress. This theory implies that the surname may have initially been assigned to someone whose occupation involved washing clothes or linens, potentially near a river or stream.

Early records mentioning the LAVIS surname are scarce, but it is believed to have first emerged in the 13th or 14th century. One of the earliest known references can be found in the Worcestershire Feet of Fines from 1327, which mentions a certain John Lavis.

Throughout the centuries, variations in spelling and pronunciation have occurred, including Lavies, Laveyes, and Laves. These variations often reflected regional dialects and the preferences of record keepers or scribes at the time.

Renowned individuals who bore the LAVIS surname include:

1. Sir William Lavis (1554-1618), an English merchant and politician who served as Mayor of Bristol in 1612.
2. John Lavis (1693-1768), a notable English architect and surveyor responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London.
3. Mary Lavis (1760-1842), a pioneering British botanist and illustrator known for her intricate drawings of rare plant species.
4. Henry Lavis (1815-1892), a prominent English geologist and paleontologist who made significant contributions to the study of fossil formations in the United Kingdom.
5. Edith Lavis (1875-1962), a British author and novelist who gained recognition for her historical fiction set in medieval and Tudor England.

While the LAVIS surname may have humble beginnings, it has been carried through the ages by individuals from various walks of life, each leaving their mark on history in their own unique way.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lavis

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Lavis.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Lavis was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Lavis has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Lavis was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lavis, please contact us.

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