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Keir Family History

Keir Name Meaning

Scottish (central): habitational name from a place in Dunblane (Perthshire) called Keir. The placename may be from Scots keir ‘ancient fortification’ or if old from the source of this Brittonic or Pictish cair.

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


Similar surnames: Ker, Kerr, Kehr, Weir, Wei, Ehr, Keser, Kear, Lear, Keil

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Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

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Where is the Keir family from?

You can see how Keir families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Keir family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Keir families were found in and Scotland in 1841. In 1891 there were 77 Keir families living in London. This was about 30% of all the recorded Keir's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Keir families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Keir 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 Keir ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Dairy Farmer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Keir. 24% of Keir men worked as a Dairy Farmer and 77% of Keir women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Keir were General Labourer and Private Means. .

View Census Data for Keir | 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

  • Dairy Farmer
    24%
  • Motor Driver
    16%
  • Chauffeur
    16%
  • General Labourer
    16%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    77%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    6%
  • Incapacitated
    4%
  • Private Means
    3%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Keir family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 28,000 census records available for the last name Keir. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Keir census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Keir

Passenger Lists

There are 5,000 immigration records available for the last name Keir. 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 Keir immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Keir. For the veterans among your Keir ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Keir military records

You've only scratched the surface of Keir family history

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What is the average Keir lifespan?

Between 1954 and 2004, in the United States, Keir life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1954, and highest in 1999. The average life expectancy for Keir in 1954 was 22, and 75 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Keir

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