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Birkett Family History

Birkett Name Meaning

English (northern): topographic name for someone who lived ‘(by the) birch-covered headland’ northern Middle English birk(e) + he(ve)d haved (Old English birce influenced by Scandinavian birki + Old English hēafod or Old Norse hǫfuth). There are many minor places in northern England named from this compound. The main source of the surname may have been Birkhead near Kendal in Westmorland. There has been some confusion with Burkett .

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: Burkett, Baskett, Burgett, Barrett, Brett, Pickett, Beckett, Barnett

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Where is the Birkett family from?

You can see how Birkett families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Birkett family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Birkett families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 648 Birkett families living in Lancashire. This was about 22% of all the recorded Birkett's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Birkett families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Birkett surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Birkett ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Birkett. 12% of Birkett men worked as a General Labourer and 71% of Birkett women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Birkett were Colliery Hewer and Housewife. .

View Census Data for Birkett | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    12%
  • Farmer
    8%
  • Incapacitated
    4%
  • Colliery Hewer
    4%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    71%
  • Private Means
    3%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    3%
  • Housewife
    2%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Birkett family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 50,000 census records available for the last name Birkett. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Birkett census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Birkett

Passenger Lists

There are 6,000 immigration records available for the last name Birkett. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Birkett immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 4,000 military records available for the last name Birkett. For the veterans among your Birkett ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Birkett military records

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What is the average Birkett lifespan?

Between 1953 and 2004, in the United States, Birkett life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1953, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Birkett in 1953 was 36, and 80 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Birkett

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