Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Lefuenes 1086 DB

• Lefnes c.1170 CWiii,272 1170–1282 Kendii,114,117,120,191

• Leuenes, Levenes 1170–84 Kendi,396 1187,1187–92 1190 1190–5 LaCh 1197,1198 P 1230–49 Cockers 1241 FF 1256 Ass11 1439 MinAcct

• Levenis, Levenys 1288 Chamb 1311 Kendi,140 1343 ShpDd

• Lewnes 1184–1205 Kendii,178

• Lewenes 1196 FF 1198–9 Kendi,380

• Lewynes 1279 Ass7

• Lewyns 1544 Kendii,132

• Lefins 1249 Kendi,132

• Lyvenes 1267 Ch

• Levens 1352,1376 Ipm 1384 Cl 1754 Pococke

• Over Levens 1662 RateK 1671 Fleming

• Levins, Levyns 1392 Kendii,126 1501 Ipm 1777 M

• Over Levins 1562 FF

• Leyvens 1511 Kendii,130

• Leavens 1680 Dep

• Over Leavens 1589 Kendii,136 1659 Dep

Etymology

'Lēofa's headland', from the OE  pers.n. Lēofa and næss, probably here in allusion to the tract of land between the Kent and the Gilpin, which unite at the south end of the parish. Ekwall also suggests that the OE  fem. pers.n. Lēofwynn is also possible for the first el. On the reduction of the final el. in other p.ns. cf. A. H. Smith in LMS i, 48 ff. Sometimes called 'Over' to distinguish it from Nether Levens (infra ).