The name Levi is one of the most widespread Jewish family names. Like the name Cahn or Cohen, it originates from Biblical times. The Levites were one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. All Jews who trace their ancestors from this tribe are thus Levites. Their symbol is the pitcher, which is sometimes represented on Levite gravestones. Many Levites have adopted the tribal name as their family name, whilst the remainder have chosen other names, with the result that their new family name gives no obvious indication of their link with the Levites. In Frankfurt, Levite families included the Epstein, Buchsbaum, Schames, Goldschmidt, and Hanau families. There have been many Jews in Frankfurt who kept Levi as their family name from the early 16th century onwards.