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 Onstead family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Onstead Family History

Onstead 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: Anstead, Onstad, Umstead, Winstead, Stead, Olstad, Enstad, Holstead

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Onstead family from?

You can see how Onstead families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Onstead family name was found in the USA, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. The most Onstead families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there were 3 Onstead families living in New Jersey. This was 100% of all the recorded Onstead's in USA. New Jersey had the highest population of Onstead families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Onstead surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
  • 1840
  • 1880
  • 1920
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Onstead ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Housewife were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Onstead. 40% of Onstead men worked as a Farmer and 60% of Onstead women worked as a Housewife. Some less common occupations for Americans named Onstead were Truck Driver and Stenographer.

View Census Data for Onstead | 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
    40%
  • Laborer
    35%
  • Manager
    9%
  • Truck Driver
    9%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housewife
    60%
  • Stenographer
    40%

What Onstead family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 907 census records available for the last name Onstead. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Onstead census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Onstead

Passenger Lists

There are 20 immigration records available for the last name Onstead. 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 Onstead immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 151 military records available for the last name Onstead. For the veterans among your Onstead ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Onstead military records

You've only scratched the surface of Onstead family history

Discover More

What is the average Onstead lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Onstead life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1963, and highest in 2000. The average life expectancy for Onstead in 1963 was 43, and 84 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Onstead

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

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