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 Killian family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Killian Family History

Killian Surname Meaning

Irish: variant of Killeen. German and Dutch: variant of Kilian.

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


Similar surnames

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Killian family from?

You can see how Killian families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Killian family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Killian families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 31 Killian families living in Lancashire. This was about 27% of all the recorded Killian's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Killian families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Killian surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Killian 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 Killian. 50% of Killian men worked as a General Labourer and 65% of Killian women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Killian were Farmworker and Cotton Weaver.

View Census Data for Killian | 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%
  • Farmworker
    50%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    65%
  • Domestic Duties
    9%
  • Housewife
    6%
  • Cotton Weaver
    6%

What Killian family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 49,000 census records available for the last name Killian. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Killian census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Killian

Passenger Lists

There are 4,000 immigration records available for the last name Killian. 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 Killian immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 11,000 military records available for the last name Killian. For the veterans among your Killian ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Killian military records

You've only scratched the surface of Killian family history

Discover More

What is the average Killian lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Killian life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1944, and highest in 2002. The average life expectancy for Killian in 1940 was 62, and 76 in 2004.

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

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