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Preen Family History

Preen Surname Meaning

From Church Preen (Shrops), which is recorded as Prene in 1086, Prona in 1255, and Preone in about 1290. The place-name derives from Old English prēon ‘pin, clasp,’ which, according to Place-Names of Shrops, was ‘presumably used of some as yet unidentified landscape feature.’

Occasionally, perhaps from Middle English prene ‘pin, clasp’ (Old English prēon). This name may also be associated with tall, thin individuals who had small heads or with those who wore a distinctive pin or brooch.

Additionally, the name might refer to individuals who made or sold such items, suggesting a connection between the place name and local craftsmanship or notable features of the population.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


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Where is the Preen family from?

You can see how Preen families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Preen family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Preen families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 33 Preen families living in Shropshire. This was about 20% of all the recorded Preen's in United Kingdom. Shropshire had the highest population of Preen families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Preen 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 Preen 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 Preen. 18% of Preen men worked as a General Labourer and 75% of Preen women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Preen were Builders Labourer and Domestic Servant.

View Census Data for Preen | 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
    18%
  • General Labourer Heavy Worker
    12%
  • Master Builder
    12%
  • Builders Labourer
    12%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    75%
  • Housewife
    7%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%
  • Domestic Servant
    3%

What Preen family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 6,000 census records available for the last name Preen. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Preen census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Preen

Passenger Lists

There are 849 immigration records available for the last name Preen. 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 Preen immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Preen military records

You've only scratched the surface of Preen family history

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What is the average Preen lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2003, in the United States, Preen life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1998, and highest in 1991. The average life expectancy for Preen in 1963 was 50, and 81 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Preen

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Preen 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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