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

Levinthal, 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 Levinthal surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Levinthal in America

Levinthal is the 121058th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Levinthal surname appeared 132 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Levinthal.

The history of the last name Levinthal

The surname Levinthal has its roots in the Ashkenazi Jewish communities of Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany. The name is believed to date back to the Middle Ages, around the 16th or 17th century, a period when surnames began to be more commonly adopted among Jewish families for legal and administrative purposes. The regions most commonly associated with this surname include areas around present-day Germany and Poland.

The etymology of the surname Levinthal can be broken into two parts: "Levin" and "thal". "Levin" may derive from the Hebrew name Levi, which pertains to the Levite tribe, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Levi is one of the most common Jewish surnames and is often associated with those of hereditary priestly roles or religious significance. "Thal" is a Germanic term meaning "valley" and appears frequently in geographical contexts within German-speaking regions. Combined, Levinthal could roughly translate to "Levin of the valley," suggesting a geographical origin or a landscape feature near where the original name-bearers lived.

The surname Levinthal appears in several historical records and manuscripts. One of the earliest known references to a person with a similar name appears in community records from Altona-Hamburg, a significant center of Jewish culture and learning in the 18th century. These records mention Rabbi Jacob Levinthal, an influential religious leader born around 1720 and passing away in 1790. Rabbi Jacob Levinthal was notable for his scholarly contributions to Jewish law and his leadership within the Jewish community.

Another historical figure bearing the surname is Ferdinand Levinthal, a 19th-century German-Jewish businessman born in 1826 and died in 1891. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributions to Jewish welfare societies in Hamburg. His involvement in various charitable endeavors left a lasting mark on his community.

During the early 20th century, Dr. David Levinthal emerged as a prominent name in the United States. Born in 1883 in Eastern Europe and later immigrating to the U.S., Dr. Levinthal became a renowned sociologist and author, contributing significantly to the understanding of Jewish immigrant life in America before passing away in 1940.

Another noteworthy figure is Moses Levinthal, an activist and labor organizer recognized for his efforts in improving workers' rights during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His life spanned from 1850 to 1920, and his legacy includes various reforms and publications advocating for social justice.

In the realm of science, Joseph Levinthal, born in 1913 and deceased in 1992, was a distinguished biologist known for his pioneering research in molecular biology and contributions to the understanding of DNA structure and function. His academic work and numerous publications have had a lasting influence on the field.

The surname Levinthal, with its origins deeply embedded in Jewish history and European geography, encapsulates a rich tapestry of cultural and societal evolution. The name has been borne by individuals who have significantly impacted their communities and fields of expertise, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be recognized and respected.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Levinthal

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Levinthal 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.

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 Levinthal was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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