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Challis Family History

Challis Name Meaning

English (southeastern England and East Anglia) of Norman origin: habitational name from either Écalles-Alix (Seine-Maritime) Écalles (in Estouteville-Écalles Seine-Maritime) or Escalles (Pas-de-Calais). The Norman surname is recorded as de Scalers Latinized as de Scalariis which contains the plural form of Late Latin scalaria ‘ladder staircase stile’. It may have been used as a variant of scala and scalae in the naming of one or more of these places the modern forms of which derive from scala(e); see Scales English (southwestern) of Norman origin: habitational name a shortened form of Challons from Chalon-sur-Saône or Châlons-sur-Marne in France.

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


Similar surnames: Callis, Fallis, Allis, Charles, Chall, Chaplin, Wallis, Chellis

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Where is the Challis family from?

You can see how Challis families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Challis family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Challis families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 559 Challis families living in London. This was about 26% of all the recorded Challis's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Challis families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Challis 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 Challis 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 Challis. 12% of Challis men worked as a General Labourer and 72% of Challis women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Challis were Bricklayer and Incapacitated. .

View Census Data for Challis | 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%
  • Retired
    4%
  • Gardener
    4%
  • Bricklayer
    4%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    72%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    3%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Incapacitated
    3%
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What Challis family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 55,000 census records available for the last name Challis. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Challis census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Challis

Passenger Lists

There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Challis. 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 Challis immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 3,000 military records available for the last name Challis. For the veterans among your Challis ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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What is the average Challis lifespan?

Between 1960 and 2004, in the United States, Challis life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1960, and highest in 1997. The average life expectancy for Challis in 1960 was 34, and 84 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Challis

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