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Ramsdale Family History

Ramsdale Surname Meaning

In N England, perhaps a variant of Ramsden (1) as suggested by Redmonds Dictionary of Yorks Surnames citing Erasmus Ramsden or Ramsdail 1614–33 in Parish Registers (Addingham WR Yorks). Derivation from Ramsdale (NR Yorks) is also theoretically possible, but Redmonds has been unable to find any evidence that it gave rise to a surname.

For another example where -dale has been substituted for -den, see Baxendale. In the Midlands, occasionally from Ramsdale Farm in Arnold (Notts). The place-name may derive from Old English ramm ‘ram’ (genitive rammes) hramsa ‘wild garlic’ hræfn ‘raven’ (genitive hræfnes) or an Old English personal name *Hræfn (genitive *Hræfnes) + Old Scandinavian dalr ‘valley’.

In Staffs, perhaps a variant of Ransdale (2).

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


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Where is the Ramsdale family from?

You can see how Ramsdale families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Ramsdale family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Ramsdale families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 431 Ramsdale families living in Lancashire. This was about 49% of all the recorded Ramsdale's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Ramsdale families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Ramsdale 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 Ramsdale 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 Ramsdale. 16% of Ramsdale men worked as a General Labourer and 72% of Ramsdale women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Ramsdale were Iron Foundry Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duti.

View Census Data for Ramsdale | 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
    16%
  • Joiner
    13%
  • Railway Clerk
    13%
  • Iron Foundry Labourer
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    72%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    3%
  • Cotton Weaver
    2%
  • Unpaid Domestic Duti
    2%

What Ramsdale family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 14,000 census records available for the last name Ramsdale. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Ramsdale census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Ramsdale

Passenger Lists

There are 847 immigration records available for the last name Ramsdale. 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 Ramsdale immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Ramsdale military records

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What is the average Ramsdale lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Ramsdale life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2003, and highest in 2001. The average life expectancy for Ramsdale in 1963 was 74, and 54 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Ramsdale

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Ramsdale 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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