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Lightfoot Family History

Lightfoot Surname Meaning

English (mainly northern England especially Cheshire): nickname for a messenger or for a fast runner from Middle English lyght ‘light nimble quick’.

It originates from Old English līoht which carries a similar meaning.

The term combines relevance to speed and agility, indicating someone who is quick on their feet.

In the context of its use in northern England, it highlights regional linguistic characteristics.

This rich etymology showcases how language evolves while retaining a connection to cultural practices.

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


Similar surnames: 

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Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Lightfoot family from?

You can see how Lightfoot families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Lightfoot family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Lightfoot families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 778 Lightfoot families living in Cheshire. This was about 19% of all the recorded Lightfoot's in United Kingdom. Cheshire had the highest population of Lightfoot families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Lightfoot 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 Lightfoot 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 Lightfoot. 12% of Lightfoot men worked as a General Labourer and 72% of Lightfoot women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Lightfoot were Farm Labourer and Unpaid Domestic.

View Census Data for Lightfoot | 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
    12%
  • Farmer
    5%
  • Builders Labourer
    4%
  • Farm Labourer
    3%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    72%
  • Domestic Servant
    3%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    2%

What Lightfoot family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 98,000 census records available for the last name Lightfoot. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Lightfoot census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Lightfoot

Passenger Lists

There are 8,000 immigration records available for the last name Lightfoot. 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 Lightfoot immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 12,000 military records available for the last name Lightfoot. For the veterans among your Lightfoot ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Lightfoot military records

You've only scratched the surface of Lightfoot family history

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What is the average Lightfoot lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Lightfoot life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1945, and highest in 1997. The average life expectancy for Lightfoot in 1940 was 40, and 73 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Lightfoot

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Lightfoot 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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