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Birkenhead Family History

Birkenhead Surname Meaning

The place-name 'Birkenhead' originates from the northern Middle English term birk(e), which is derived from the Old English adjective bircen meaning ‘birch’. This reflects the area's historical association with birch trees.

Additionally, the name incorporates the element he(ve)d or haved, which translates to ‘head(land)’. This indicates a geographical feature that is characteristic of the region.

Influence from Old Scandinavian can also be seen in the name, particularly with the term birki, which similarly refers to a birch grove or tree.

The term hǫfuð, also from Old Scandinavian, further emphasizes the notion of a headland, contributing to the description of the landscape where Birkenhead is located.

Overall, the etymology of Birkenhead reflects a rich blend of linguistic influences, showcasing both local and Norse heritage in place-naming conventions.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


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Where is the Birkenhead family from?

You can see how Birkenhead families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Birkenhead family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1871 and 1920. The most Birkenhead families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 98 Birkenhead families living in Lancashire. This was about 46% of all the recorded Birkenhead's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Birkenhead families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Birkenhead 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 Birkenhead 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 Birkenhead. 50% of Birkenhead men worked as a General Labourer and 81% of Birkenhead women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Birkenhead were Coalminer Packer Below Heavy Worker and Paid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Birkenhead | 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
    50%
  • Coalminer Packer Below Heavy Worker
    50%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    81%
  • Cotton Weaver
    5%
  • No Occupation
    5%
  • Paid Domestic Duties
    4%

What Birkenhead family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Birkenhead. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Birkenhead census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Birkenhead

Passenger Lists

There are 704 immigration records available for the last name Birkenhead. 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 Birkenhead immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 414 military records available for the last name Birkenhead. For the veterans among your Birkenhead ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Birkenhead military records

You've only scratched the surface of Birkenhead family history

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What is the average Birkenhead lifespan?

Between 1965 and 2004, in the United States, Birkenhead life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1965, and highest in 1982. The average life expectancy for Birkenhead in 1965 was 65, and 87 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Birkenhead

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Birkenhead 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.

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