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Modesto Family History

Modesto Name Meaning

Spanish Portuguese and Italian: from the personal name Modesto (see Modest ) or a nickname from modesto ‘modest unassuming’.

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


Similar surnames: Modeste, Moresco, Loreto, Moretto, Mosso, Sesto, Oest, Desio, Oneto

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

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Where is the Modesto family from?

You can see how Modesto families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Modesto family name was found in the USA, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Modesto families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 2 Modesto families living in California. This was about 50% of all the recorded Modesto's in USA. California had the highest population of Modesto families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Modesto surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Modesto ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Operator were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Modesto. 66% of Modesto men worked as a Laborer and 100% of Modesto women worked as an Operator. .

View Census Data for Modesto | 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.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    66%
  • Painter
    5%
  • Helper
    5%
  • Finisher
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Operator
    100%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Modesto family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Modesto. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Modesto census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Modesto

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Modesto. 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 Modesto immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 592 military records available for the last name Modesto. For the veterans among your Modesto ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Modesto military records

You've only scratched the surface of Modesto family history

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What is the average Modesto lifespan?

Between 1962 and 2004, in the United States, Modesto life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1970, and highest in 1971. The average life expectancy for Modesto in 1962 was 58, and 74 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Modesto

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Modesto family tree

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