This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Blei family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Blei Family History

Blei Surname Meaning

German: variant of Bley ‘lead’. Dutch: variant of Bleij a nickname for someone who has a cheerful character from the adjective blij ‘merry gay happy’.

Compare Bley and Bly.

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


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Blei family from?

You can see how Blei families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Blei family name was found in the USA, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Blei families were found in USA in 1880. In 1880 there were 23 Blei families living in Illinois. This was about 46% of all the recorded Blei's in USA. Illinois had the highest population of Blei families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Blei surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Blei ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Salesman and Clerk were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Blei. 28% of Blei men worked as a Salesman and 100% of Blei women worked as a Clerk.

View Census Data for Blei | 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.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Salesman
    28%
  • Laborer
    23%
  • Farmer
    17%
  • Florist
    12%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Clerk
    100%

What Blei family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Blei. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Blei census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Blei

Passenger Lists

There are 638 immigration records available for the last name Blei. 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 Blei immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Blei military records

You've only scratched the surface of Blei family history

Discover More

What is the average Blei lifespan?

Between 1951 and 2004, in the United States, Blei life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1951, and highest in 1985. The average life expectancy for Blei in 1951 was 44, and 62 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Blei

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Blei 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.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Blei family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial