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Risdon Family History

Risdon Surname Meaning

English: habitational name primarily from either of the two Devon places called Risdon in Jacobstowe and Bratton Clovelly parishes but perhaps also to a lesser extent from other places so named including Riseden in Wadhurst (Sussex), Riseden in Goudhurst (Kent), and Risden in Hawkhurst (Kent).

The Devon placenames derive from Old English hrīs ‘brushwood’ + dūn ‘hill’. The Sussex and Kent placenames derive from Old English hrīs + denn ‘pasture’.

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


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Where is the Risdon family from?

You can see how Risdon families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Risdon family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Risdon families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 105 Risdon families living in Devon. This was about 30% of all the recorded Risdon's in United Kingdom. Devon had the highest population of Risdon families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Risdon 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 Risdon ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Farmer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Risdon. 31% of Risdon men worked as a Farmer and 66% of Risdon women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Risdon were Draper and None.

View Census Data for Risdon | 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

  • Farmer
    31%
  • General Labourer
    24%
  • Retired
    16%
  • Draper
    16%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    66%
  • Private Means
    8%
  • Housewife
    4%
  • None
    4%

What Risdon family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search UK census records for Risdon

Passenger Lists

There are 879 immigration records available for the last name Risdon. 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 Risdon immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Risdon military records

You've only scratched the surface of Risdon family history

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What is the average Risdon lifespan?

Between 1945 and 2004, in the United States, Risdon life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1945, and highest in 1963. The average life expectancy for Risdon in 1945 was 30, and 77 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Risdon

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Risdon 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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