This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Bels family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Bels Family History

Bels Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Bell, Bel, Belt, Bess, Fels, Beas, Belz, Belo, Pels, Beld

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Bels family from?

You can see how Bels families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Bels family name was found in the USA, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Bels families were found in USA in 1880. In 1841 there was 1 Bels family living in Dumfries-shire. This was 100% of all the recorded Bels's in Scotland. Dumfries-shire had the highest population of Bels families in 1841.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Bels 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 Bels ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Weaver and Housekeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Bels. 50% of Bels men worked as a Weaver and 100% of Bels women worked as a Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Bels | 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

  • Weaver
    50%
  • Carpenter
    50%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housekeeper
    100%

What Bels family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 748 census records available for the last name Bels. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Bels census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Bels

Passenger Lists

There are 317 immigration records available for the last name Bels. 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 Bels immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 808 military records available for the last name Bels. For the veterans among your Bels ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Bels military records

You've only scratched the surface of Bels family history

Discover More

What is the average Bels lifespan?

Between 1972 and 2004, in the United States, Bels life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1972, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Bels in 1972 was 65, and 71 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Bels

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Bels ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Bels family tree

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