Level History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Level surname is derived from the Norman French word "lou," meaning "wolf," with the diminutive suffix "el." 1 2

Early Origins of the Level family

The surname Level was first found in Somerset. Robert, Lord of Breherval and Yvery in Normandy is regarded as the progenitor of this family. His father was Eudes, sovereign Duke of Brittany. His is listed in the Roll of Battle Abbey and received from the Conqueror a grant of the Lordships of Kary and Harpetre, in the county of Somerset. He eventually returned to his native Duchy and died a monk in the abbey of Bec, leaving three sons. The eldest, one Ascelin Gouel de Perceval succeeded his father as Lord of Breherval. As a violent man, he acquired the surname "Lupus." In turn his son was surnamed "Lupellus," or little wolf which was softened to "luvel." He had five sons; one of which was Henry, ancestor of Lords Lovel of Kary. 3

The Lovels of Tichmersh who had summons to Parliament in 1297 were a baronial family of considerable distinction. By example, Sir Richard Lovel was summoned to Parliament from 1348-1350.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only three entries for the family: Lovel le Clerc, Essex; Caterina Lovel, Oxfordshire; and Lovel (without surname), Surrey. 4

Early History of the Level family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Level research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1454, 1483, 1487, 1631, 1709, 1713, 1737 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Level History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Level Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lovell, Lowell, Lovel, Leavell, Lowles and others.

Early Notables of the Level family

Notable among the family at this time was Francis Lovell, (1454-c. 1487), friend and supporter of Richard III, made Viscount Lovell on January 4th 1483; he...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Level Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Level Ranking

In France, the name Level is the 2,831^st most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Level family to Ireland

Some of the Level family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Level migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Level Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Margarita Blanco Level, aged 20, originally from Caracas, Venezuela, So American, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Zulia" from Curacao, DWI 6
Vernon B. Level, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Henry Clay" from London, England 6
Ernest Level, aged 28, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Espagne" from Le Havre, France 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Level (post 1700) +

Léon Level (1910-1949), French professional road bicycle racer
Annick Level (1942-1964), French fencer at the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics
Maurice Level (1875-1926), French writer, known for his essay Supernatural Horror in Literature (1927)

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result