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Tonkin Family History

Tonkin Surname Meaning

English (Cornwall): variant of Tomkin (see Tomkins) where /m/ has developed to /ŋ/ before /k/.

Compare Sincock as a variant of Simcock.

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


Similar surnames: 

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Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Tonkin family from?

You can see how Tonkin families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Tonkin family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Tonkin families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 819 Tonkin families living in Cornwall. This was about 57% of all the recorded Tonkin's in United Kingdom. Cornwall had the highest population of Tonkin families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Tonkin 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 Tonkin 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 Tonkin. 10% of Tonkin men worked as a General Labourer and 69% of Tonkin women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Tonkin were Carpenter and Incapacitated.

View Census Data for Tonkin | 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
    10%
  • Farmer
    7%
  • Fisherman
    7%
  • Carpenter
    6%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    69%
  • Domestic Duties
    3%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Incapacitated
    3%

What Tonkin family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 51,000 census records available for the last name Tonkin. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Tonkin census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Tonkin

Passenger Lists

There are 5,000 immigration records available for the last name Tonkin. 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 Tonkin immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 4,000 military records available for the last name Tonkin. For the veterans among your Tonkin ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Tonkin military records

You've only scratched the surface of Tonkin family history

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What is the average Tonkin lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Tonkin life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1940, and highest in 1998. The average life expectancy for Tonkin in 1940 was 35, and 82 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Tonkin

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Tonkin 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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