Surname Lövy - Meaning and Origin
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Lövy: What does the surname Lövy mean?
The last name Lövy is of German and Jewish origin. It is derived from the German word löwe, which means lion in English. The Lövy surname is most commonly found in Jewish families and was likely adopted as a symbol of strength and courage. It is thought to have originally referred to a physical courage or an ability to conquer and overcome obstacles.
The Lövy surname can be traced back to the early 15th century when many of the early Lövy families lived in the region now known as modern-day Germany. During this time, there were many Jewish people living in central and eastern Europe, likely due to persecution in their home countries. The Lövy name appeared in various recordings during this period, as manyJewish families used it in place of their tribal name, or to choose their own name. It is believed that the name was also adopted by non-Jewish families in this region, however this is much less common.
The Lövy surname is still common today and can be found in Jewish communities around the world. It is a unique and powerful name to have, as it evokes strength, courage, and power. For those born into a family with the Lövy name, it is a reminder of the courage and strength of ancestors who rose up in the face of adversity and persevered.
Order DNA origin analysisLövy: Where does the name Lövy come from?
The last name Lövy is quite common today, particularly in Europe. In France, it is thought to have its origins in the ancient Jewish diaspora, although modern Lövys can also trace their roots to other European countries.
In Germany, it is particularly common in the cities of Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Cologne. The Lövy name is also quite common among German-speaking Jews in the United States, United Kingdom, and surrounding countries.
The name is also a popular name in Austria, Switzerland, and Sweden. In Scandinavia, the well-known Jewish historian Salomon Lövy was born in Vienna in 1880 and died in Stockholm in 1938.
In the United States, the last name Lövy is found in all major cities, but is particularly common in the areas around New York City and Miami. Immigrants from Central European countries such as Poland and Romania have also been known to bear the name Lövy.
Today, wherever you find people with Jewish ancestry, you’re likely to find a Lövy. It’s a name closely associated with Jewish identity, culture, and memory, and it will be a part of Jewish identity as long as people continue to identify as Jews in the future.
Variations of the surname Lövy
The surname Lövy has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. One variation, Levy, is a common Ashkenazic Jewish surname. This spelling is likely derived from the Hebrew name Levi, itself derived from the Hebrew word which means attached or joined. It is shared by many biblical figures in the Old Testament, including one of the twelve sons of Jacob who received his own inheritance, as well as being an ancestor of the tribe of Levi, from whom many priests were descended.
In another form, the surname Löwy is found particularly in parts of Germany and Austria. This form is thought to originate from the Middle High German luobe and Old German louba, both of which meant “lion.” This form of the surname was often given to someone thought to possess a regal, lion-like bearing.
Another form of the surname is Loewy, which is a particularly common and widespread form. This form is shared by many Jews in the United States and other countries. This variation is likely derived from Levi, like the first variant, but also may come from Loewe, meaning lion in Yiddish.
In Ireland, a form of the surname Lövy is seen as Lawee, sharing its relation with Levi. There are also forms of the surname that can be seen amongst Germanic populations, such as Lauwe, Löwe, Lówe, and Lowy.
In Poland, the surname has many spellings and variations, including Lewi, Lewy, Lewycki, Lewusz, and Lewis. This is generally due to the common use of phonetic spelling in Poland.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Lövy are numerous and varied, indicating it has been a prominent surname for centuries. Many of the variants have survived and are still in use in various parts of the world today.
Famous people with the name Lövy
- Otto Löwy (1819–1840), German author
- Leo Lövy (1851–1900), German-French poet
- Ludwik Löwy (1851–1937), Polish-Jewish historian
- Guido Löwy (1854–1930), Austrian-Jewish lawyer
- Friedrich Lövy (1873–1910), German-Jewish political economist
- André Löwy (1925–2014), French literary critic
- Maurice Lövy (1925–2013), French art historian
- Littérature et Topologie, a collective work edited by André Löwy and André Dimou
- Claude Lövy-Bruhl (1864–1936), French philosopher
- Stanislas Lövy (1904–1967), French psychoanalyst
- Maurice Lövy-Dhurmer (1879–1958), French painter
- Wilhelm Lövy (1905–1944), German neurologist
- Silvano Löwy (1927–2006), Italian mathematician
- Martin Löwy (b. 1939), French-Argentinian anthropologist
- Arts Lövy (b. 1959), Dutch art historian
- Boaz Lövy (b. 1960), Israeli museum director
- Laurent Lövy (b. 1964), French neurosurgeon
- Séverin Lövy (b. 1986), French rabbi
- Max Lövy (b. 1989), French tennis player
- Mathilda Lövy (b. 1995), Israeli model