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 Girley family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Girley Family History

Girley 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: Gurley, Girdley, Gidley, Gorley, Garley, Ginley, Gilley, Kirley

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Girley family from?

You can see how Girley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Girley family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Girley families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 2 Girley families living in Kent. This was about 33% of all the recorded Girley's in United Kingdom. Kent and 1 other county had the highest population of Girley families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Girley 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 Girley ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Cook were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Girley. 43% of Girley men worked as a Farmer and 60% of Girley women worked as a Cook. Some less common occupations for Americans named Girley were Farm Laborer and House Work.

View Census Data for Girley | 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

  • Farmer
    43%
  • Laborer
    29%
  • Carpenter
    10%
  • Farm Laborer
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Cook
    60%
  • House Work
    40%

What Girley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Girley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Girley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Girley

Passenger Lists

There are 50 immigration records available for the last name Girley. 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 Girley immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 105 military records available for the last name Girley. For the veterans among your Girley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Girley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Girley family history

Discover More

What is the average Girley lifespan?

Between 1967 and 2004, in the United States, Girley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1996, and highest in 1994. The average life expectancy for Girley in 1967 was 43, and 65 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Girley

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Girley 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 Girley family tree

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