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Pigeon Family History

Pigeon Surname Meaning

French and English: nickname from Old French pigeon ‘fledgling squab; dove pigeon’ in France perhaps for a breeder or trader in pigeons or as in medieval England (where the word was borrowed into Middle English) perhaps a term of affection.

In this context, the term may have been used to describe someone involved in the breeding or trading of pigeons, which were valued birds in both cultures.

Additionally, the usage in medieval England indicates a more affectionate connotation, suggesting that the nickname could have been a term of endearment.

Such nuances in language highlight how the meanings of words can evolve based on cultural significance and social contexts.

Overall, the history of the term embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic development bridging France and England.

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


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Where is the Pigeon family from?

You can see how Pigeon families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Pigeon family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Pigeon families were found in Canada in 1911. In 1891 there were 29 Pigeon families living in London. This was about 22% of all the recorded Pigeon's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Pigeon families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Pigeon 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 Pigeon ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid Domestic Duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Pigeon. 77% of Pigeon women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Pigeon | 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 Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    77%
  • Private Means
    24%

What Pigeon family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 29,000 census records available for the last name Pigeon. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Pigeon census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Pigeon

Passenger Lists

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

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Pigeon. For the veterans among your Pigeon ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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What is the average Pigeon lifespan?

Between 1958 and 2004, in the United States, Pigeon life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1961, and highest in 1962. The average life expectancy for Pigeon in 1958 was 73, and 74 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Pigeon

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Pigeon 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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