Leven
A locational surname referring to one from the town of Leven in Scotland.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 720 Americans carry the last name Leven. That puts it at #36,695 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.21 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 476,048 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Leven 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
720
1 in 476,048
Census rank
#36,695
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
609
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 609 bearers of the surname Leven in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 36695th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Leven, the largest self-reported group is White at 79.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (12.8%) and Black (5.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Leven
The surname Leven has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "lefer," which means "to remain or stay." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a particular location for an extended period.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Leven can be found in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of homage rolls from the 13th and 14th centuries. In these rolls, the name appears as "de Leuen," indicating its Scottish roots.
The name Leven is also closely associated with the town of Leven in Fife, Scotland. This town, located on the coast of the Firth of Forth, was once an important fishing and trading port. It is likely that some individuals bearing the surname Leven originally hailed from this area or had strong connections to it.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Alexander Leven (c. 1500-1560) served as a Scottish prelate and was the Bishop of Aberdeen from 1558 until his death. His leadership during the tumultuous period of the Scottish Reformation left a lasting impact on the region.
Another individual of historical significance was Sir William Leven (1600-1661), a Scottish soldier and military commander who played a prominent role in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. He served as a general in the Scottish Covenanter army and was known for his military exploits during the English Civil War.
During the 18th century, Thomas Leven (1720-1788) gained recognition as a British naval officer and explorer. He is particularly remembered for his service in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and his exploration of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
In the realm of literature, John Leven (1834-1908) was a Scottish poet and author who wrote extensively about his homeland. His works, such as "Ballads of the Covenant" and "Poems and Prose Sketches," captured the essence of Scottish culture and history.
The surname Leven has also been associated with various place names across Scotland, such as Leven Valley, Leven Beach, and Leven Links, further solidifying its Scottish heritage and territorial connections.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Leven
Among Census respondents with the surname Leven, the largest self-reported group is White at 79.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (12.8%) and Black (5.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Leven 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 Leven surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White79.2%
- Hispanic or Latino12.8%
- Black or African American5.4%
- Two or more races1.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Leven 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #36,695 | #36,695 | 0.0% |
| Count | 609 | 609 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Leven bearers went from 609 to 609 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #36,695 to #36,695.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Leven
FAQ
Leven surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Leven?
The surname Leven holds position #36,695 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 720 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Leven surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Leven, the largest self-reported group is White at 79.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (12.8%) and Black (5.4%). 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.