Levens

The surname Levens derives from a Middle English given name Lefwine, which in turn comes from the Old English elements “leof,” which meant “dear” or “beloved,” and “wine,” which meant “friend.”

The Levens family lineage traces back to Croydon, beginning with Richard Levens, born around 1671, who served as an innkeeper in the town, with his will preserved in the National Archives[i]. Richard’s father, also named Richard, was born in 1644 in Croydon to William Levens and his wife, Alice Brigstocke, who were married in the town in June 1639. However, details about these earlier generations, particularly before the Great Fire of London, remain elusive and will be explored further at a later time.

Richard’s descendants maintained a strong connection to bell ringing at Croydon Minster for over 60 years, significantly elevating the mathematical artistry of the craft during this period.[ii]

• Richard Levens (1671 – 1748) married Rachel Allingham (1679 – 1744)

  Eleven children: Elizabeth, William, John, Richard, Allingham,Thomas, Joseph, Rachel, Samuel, Sarah, and Job

• Thomas Levens (1708 – 1797) married Sarah Aldridge (1722 – 1806)

  Five children: Sarah, Thomas, William, Samuel, and Richard

• Samuel Levens (1753 – 1843) married Molly Jones (1759 – 1816)

  Seven children: Thomas, John, Charles, John, Ann, and Amy

• Thomas Levens (1784 – 1885) married Priscilla Wilson (1786 – 1863)

  Two children: Sarah, and Charles

• Charles Levens (1809 – 1877) married (1) Sarah Allen (1823-1876) and (2) Mary Ann Godfrey (1812 – 1858)

  (1) Two children: Louisa and Isabella

  (2) Thirteen children: Charles, Edward, Priscilla, Sarah, William, James, Mary, Elizabeth, Emma, James, Eliza, Ann (aka Hannah), and Henry

• Edward Levens (1836 – 1917) married (1) Catherine Finch (1839 – 1886) and (2) Mary Ann Lancaster (1840 – ?)

  (1) Six children: Edward, George, William, John, Emma, and Catherine

  Emma Levens’ story