Surname Lewinsohn - Meaning and Origin

Lewinsohn: What does the surname Lewinsohn mean?

The surname Lewinsohn is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, derived from the Yiddish given name Lev, which in turn comes from the Hebrew name “Levi”, which means “joining.” This surname was adopted by many Eastern European Jews in order to symbolize the joining of two spiritual forces. Lewinsohn is especially popular among Jews of the Russian Empire, where it may have originally been used as an ornamental or an occupational surname referring to a Jewish Levite.

Lewinsohn is a patronymic name, derived from the given name of a father, and bears the meaning "son of Lewin.” It is found in Jewish records from the 18th century, primarily in Russia and Germany. It may have been born by the son of a rabbi or other spiritual leader, signifying their spiritual and mental authority.

Today, members of the Lewinsohn family may be found across the globe, as their ancestors spread out and moved to distant corners of the world. The Lewinsohn name holds close ties to Jewish faith and traditions, and continues to be embraced by those of Jewish heritage. The Lewinsohn name is, itself, a reminder of two forces joining together, creating a sense of family and community—a concept that is as relevant and timeless as ever.

Lewinsohn: Where does the name Lewinsohn come from?

The last name Lewinsohn is most commonly found in regions where there has been a significant Jewish population, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

In particular, the surname has been found consistently in Austria, Belarus, Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine.

The Lewinsohn surname is also well-represented in the United States, where it was first brought to the country by Jewish immigrants in the late 19th century and early 20th century. From 1880 to 1930, the United States was the world’s most popular destination for Jewish immigrants, and many of those immigrants adopted the name Lewinsohn.

Today, those of the Lewinsohn surname can be found in several states across the USA, including California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Ohio.

The Lewinsohn surname can be found across the world, from North America to South Africa, from Western Europe to Australia and New Zealand. With its origins traced to Jewish immigrants, it is associated with a particular feeling of pride in a heritage spanning the centuries and continents.

Variations of the surname Lewinsohn

The surname Lewinsohn is derived from the German name Lewin, meaning "eagerly desired". Variations of the Lewinsohn surname include Lewinsky, Levinsky, and Levine. Other variants found in the US include Lewinson, Lewinsoner, Lewinshon, Lewenshon, Lewinshap, and Loewenstein.

In Russia and Ukraine, the name may be transcribed as Levinshtein, Levinski, Levinshon, Levinberg, Levintom, Levintomovic, and Levintomovitz.

In Eastern Europe, the Lewinsohn surname is typically spelled Lewenstein or Lewinschein. Some Eastern European variants of the name include Lewensteiner, Lewensteinberg, Lewenstam, Lewensteinstamm, Lewensteinsohn, and Lewenstojn.

In the UK, the Lewinsohn surname is most commonly found as Levine or Levinson. Other British variants of the name include Levien, Levenson, Levan, and Levinstone.

In Germany and other parts of Europe, the Lewinsohn name may also be spelled Lewenstein, Lewin, Lewinsohn, Lewinschon, Lewenschon, Lewensteiner, or Loewensohn.

In Austria, the Lewinsohn surname is often spelled Lewinsohn or Lewenstein.

Overall, the Lewinsohn surname has many different variants and spellings in countries around the world. Despite their different spelling, all of them originate from the German name Lewin and are believed to mean "eagerly desired".

Famous people with the name Lewinsohn

• Peter Lewinsohn: Peter Lewinsohn is a German-born American psychologist and professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. He was a pioneer in the study of depression and anxiety.
• Norman Lewinsohn: Norman Lewinsohn is a behavioral scientist and educator who has worked on problems in learning, social behavior, prevention and mental health. He has served as a professor of psychology at Portland State University since 2000.
• Alfred Lewinsohn: Alfred Lewinsohn was a Jewish philosopher and educator associated with the Berlin school of neo-Kantianism. He wrote on a wide range of topics, including religion and the philosophy of history, and was both a professor and a rector at University of Berlin.
• Emily Lewinsohn: Emily Lewinsohn is an art director and graphic designer who has done work for many large companies in the U.K. and internationally, including Disney, NHS, and Channel 5.
• Robert Lewinsohn: Robert Lewinsohn is a German-born Canadian composer, conductor, and producer, who was the Artistic Director of Vancouver Opera from 1975 to 1984. He has also composed for TV and film.
• W. Grant Lewinsohn: W. Grant Lewinsohn is an American songwriter and musician, known for his work on such television shows as 'The Monkees' and 'Laverne & Shirley'.
• Edna Lewinsohn: Edna Lewinsohn was a Romanian writer who published several works of fiction and non-fiction from the 1920s until the 1940s. She is best remembered for her memoirs of life in the Romanian ghettos during the Holocaust.
• Amy Lewinsohn: Amy Lewinsohn is an award-winning American film producer whose films have earned both critical and commercial success. She has partnered with numerous international filmmakers and is known for her use of alternative formats and funding sources.
• Libby Lewinsohn: Libby Lewinsohn is a British television producer who has worked on a number of high-profile British television series, including Little Britain and The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle.
• Isidore Lewinsohn: Isidore Lewinsohn was a Jewish German historian who wrote on the history of Jews in Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries. He is particularly remembered for his two-volume work Geschichte der Juden in Deutschland (History of Jews in Germany).

Other surnames

Lewinson