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Canvin Family History

Canvin Surname Meaning

The name originates from the ancestor of the Welsh male given name Cynfyn, where the first element is derived from the original stem of ci, meaning ‘hound’. This etymology emphasizes the connection between the name and its roots in Welsh culture.

In historical records, we can see variations of the name such as Ann Cynvin from the year 1722, found in IGI (Grosmont, Monmouthshire). This indicates its usage not only in Wales but also in other regions.

According to reports by Morgan and Morgan, the name appears in several spellings across different locations, including Herefordshire, Cheshire, Radnorshire, and Cumberland. This geographical spread possibly ties the name to the unexplained eastern England name of Nichs.

Further variations include Convyn, which can be traced back to 1568 in IGI (Mistley, Essex), and Alice Convine, recorded in 1817 in IGI (Littleport, Cambridgeshire). These variations highlight the evolving nature of the name over time.

Overall, the historical context of the name demonstrates its significance and adaptability within various regions and periods, bridging connections between Welsh heritage and broader English influences.

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


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Where is the Canvin family from?

You can see how Canvin families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Canvin family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Canvin families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 32 Canvin families living in Northamptonshire. This was about 26% of all the recorded Canvin's in United Kingdom. Northamptonshire had the highest population of Canvin families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Canvin 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 Canvin 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 Canvin. 24% of Canvin men worked as a General Labourer and 94% of Canvin women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Canvin were Assisting Father and Unpaid Domestic.

View Census Data for Canvin | 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
    24%
  • Incapacitated
    16%
  • Colliery Hewer Heavy Worker
    16%
  • Assisting Father
    16%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    94%
  • Dyer finisher
    4%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%

What Canvin family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search UK census records for Canvin

Passenger Lists

There are 642 immigration records available for the last name Canvin. 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 Canvin immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Canvin. For the veterans among your Canvin ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Canvin military records

You've only scratched the surface of Canvin family history

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What is the average Canvin lifespan?

Between 1957 and 2001, in the United States, Canvin life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1957, and highest in 1996. The average life expectancy for Canvin in 1957 was 36, and 71 in 2001.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Canvin

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Canvin 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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