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 Pentland family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Pentland Family History

Pentland Surname Meaning

Scottish (Midlothian): habitational name from Pentland (Midlothian) or perhaps from Pentlands in Adlingfleet (Yorkshire). The etymology of the Midlothian placename is uncertain.

The Yorkshire placename appears to represent an early example of modern English pent ‘place where water is pent up reservoir enclosed pool’ + land.

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 Pentland family from?

You can see how Pentland families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Pentland family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Pentland families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 92 Pentland families living in Durham. This was about 39% of all the recorded Pentland's in United Kingdom. Durham had the highest population of Pentland families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Pentland 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 Pentland 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 Pentland. 24% of Pentland men worked as a General Labourer and 84% of Pentland women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Pentland were Incapacitated and Domestic Unpaid.

View Census Data for Pentland | 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%
  • Coal Merchant
    16%
  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    16%
  • Incapacitated
    16%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    84%
  • Private Means
    7%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    5%
  • Domestic Unpaid
    5%

What Pentland family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 12,000 census records available for the last name Pentland. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Pentland census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Pentland

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Pentland. 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 Pentland immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Pentland military records

You've only scratched the surface of Pentland family history

Discover More

What is the average Pentland lifespan?

Between 1955 and 2004, in the United States, Pentland life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1965, and highest in 1968. The average life expectancy for Pentland in 1955 was 51, and 78 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Pentland

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

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