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Alfred Family History

Alfred Surname Meaning

English, French, German, West Indian (mainly Haiti), and African (mainly Tanzania): from the Middle English personal name Alfred, Elfred, Old English Ælfrǣd ‘elf counsel’. This owed its popularity as a personal name in England to the fame of the West Saxon king Alfred the Great (849–899).

Alfred the Great is renowned for his military successes, specifically for defeating the Danes and keeping them out of Wessex. His reign marked a significant period in English history.

Under Alfred's leadership, Wessex became a stronghold of learning and culture, establishing a legacy that would influence future generations.

The combination of military prowess and cultural patronage helped cement Alfred's name, contributing to the enduring popularity of the name throughout various cultures and languages.

Today, the name remains common and is a testament to its historical roots and the notable figure it represents.

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


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Where is the Alfred family from?

You can see how Alfred families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Alfred family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Alfred families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 134 Alfred families living in London. This was about 22% of all the recorded Alfred's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Alfred families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Alfred 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 Alfred 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 Alfred. 20% of Alfred men worked as a General Labourer and 79% of Alfred women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Alfred were Retired and Incapacitated.

View Census Data for Alfred | 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
    20%
  • Builders Labourer
    12%
  • Farmer
    6%
  • Retired
    4%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    79%
  • Household Duties
    3%
  • Private Means
    3%
  • Incapacitated
    2%

What Alfred family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 52,000 census records available for the last name Alfred. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Alfred census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Alfred

Passenger Lists

There are 8,000 immigration records available for the last name Alfred. 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 Alfred immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 13,000 military records available for the last name Alfred. For the veterans among your Alfred ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Alfred military records

You've only scratched the surface of Alfred family history

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What is the average Alfred lifespan?

Between 1943 and 2004, in the United States, Alfred life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1945, and highest in 1998. The average life expectancy for Alfred in 1943 was 49, and 76 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Alfred

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Alfred 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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