History of your Surname
Get access to Germain family records.Start a free trial

Germain Family History

Germain Name Meaning

French and West Indian (mainly Haiti): from the French personal name Germain Latin Germanus. This was popular in France where it had been borne by a 5th-century Christian saint bishop of Auxerre. It derives from Latin germanus ‘brother cousin’ (originally an adjective meaning ‘of the same stock’ from Latin germen ‘bud shoot’) or alternatively from the ethnic name Germanus ‘German’. In the Italian the popularity of the equivalent personal name (see Germano ) has been enhanced by association with the meaning ‘brother (in God)’. This surname is most common in Haiti.

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


Similar surnames: German, Gorman, Berman, Perman, Fermin, Herman, Bermann, Jerman

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Germain family from?

You can see how Germain families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Germain family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Germain families were found in Canada in 1911. In 1891 there were 94 Germain families living in London. This was about 37% of all the recorded Germain's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Germain families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Germain surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Germain ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Coal Miner and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Germain. 50% of Germain men worked as a Coal Miner and 80% of Germain women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Germain were House Decorator and Insurance Clerk. .

View Census Data for Germain | 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

  • Coal Miner
    50%
  • House Decorator
    50%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    80%
  • Domestic Duties
    4%
  • Incapacitated
    4%
  • Insurance Clerk
    3%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Germain family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 75,000 census records available for the last name Germain. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Germain census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Germain

Passenger Lists

There are 8,000 immigration records available for the last name Germain. 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 Germain immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 10,000 military records available for the last name Germain. For the veterans among your Germain ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Germain military records

You've only scratched the surface of Germain family history

Discover More

What is the average Germain lifespan?

Between 1942 and 2004, in the United States, Germain life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1946, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Germain in 1942 was 41, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Germain

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Germain family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Germain last name

Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial