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Rotherham Family History

Rotherham Surname Meaning

English: habitational name from Rotherham (Yorkshire). The place takes its name from the river Rother itself perhaps a British river name from the intensifying prefix ro- + dubro- ‘water’.

It is suggested that the name combines elements that indicate a geographical connection, tying it closely to the landscape of the region.

Furthermore, the Old English component hām translates to ‘village’ or ‘homestead’, which further enriches the understanding of the term.

This derivation reflects the close relationship between place names and the natural features that characterize them.

Overall, the etymology of Rotherham provides insight into both the historical and linguistic elements of the area.

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


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Where is the Rotherham family from?

You can see how Rotherham families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Rotherham family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Rotherham families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 246 Rotherham families living in Lancashire. This was about 36% of all the recorded Rotherham's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Rotherham families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Rotherham 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 Rotherham 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 Rotherham. 16% of Rotherham men worked as a General Labourer and 82% of Rotherham women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Rotherham were Bricklayer and Household Duties.

View Census Data for Rotherham | 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%
  • Colliery Hewer Heavy Worker
    7%
  • Stone Mason
    7%
  • Bricklayer
    7%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    82%
  • Private Means
    3%
  • Domestic Duties
    2%
  • Household Duties
    2%

What Rotherham family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 11,000 census records available for the last name Rotherham. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Rotherham census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Rotherham

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Rotherham. 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 Rotherham immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 967 military records available for the last name Rotherham. For the veterans among your Rotherham ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Rotherham military records

You've only scratched the surface of Rotherham family history

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What is the average Rotherham lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Rotherham life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1975, and highest in 1996. The average life expectancy for Rotherham in 1963 was 70, and 67 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Rotherham

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Rotherham 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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