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Charnley Family History

Charnley Surname Meaning

English (northern): habitational name from an unlocated or unidentified place in Lancashire or nearby probably named with Celtic carn ‘cairn pile of stones’.

It is likely that the name combines elements from both Celtic and Old English origins.

The term carn refers to a pile of stones, a significant feature in the landscape.

Additionally, the Old English word lēah means ‘woodland clearing’, indicating a connection to the natural environment.

Compare Charley.

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 Charnley family from?

You can see how Charnley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Charnley family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Charnley families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 1,022 Charnley families living in Lancashire. This was about 83% of all the recorded Charnley's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Charnley families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Charnley 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 Charnley ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Cotton Weaver and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Charnley. 15% of Charnley men worked as a Cotton Weaver and 69% of Charnley women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Charnley were Motor Driver and Incapacitated.

View Census Data for Charnley | 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

  • Cotton Weaver
    15%
  • General Labourer
    10%
  • Dairy Farmer
    10%
  • Motor Driver
    6%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    69%
  • Cotton Weaver
    6%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Incapacitated
    2%

What Charnley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 17,000 census records available for the last name Charnley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Charnley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Charnley

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Charnley. 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 Charnley immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Charnley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Charnley family history

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What is the average Charnley lifespan?

Between 1955 and 2004, in the United States, Charnley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1955, and highest in 1994. The average life expectancy for Charnley in 1955 was 48, and 85 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Charnley

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Charnley 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 Charnley family tree

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