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Curnow Family History

Curnow Surname Meaning

Cornish: ethnic name for someone from Cornwall. Cornish Kernow ‘Cornwall’ is the county in southwestern England where a Celtic language (Cornish) was spoken up to the 18th century.

The term 'Cornish' reflects both the cultural and linguistic heritage of the region, which has a rich history linked to its Celtic roots.

Although the Cornish language saw a decline, efforts have been made in recent years to revive and promote it among local communities.

This revival is part of a broader movement to celebrate and preserve the unique identity of Cornwall within the United Kingdom.

Understanding the background and significance of the Cornish name helps to appreciate the historical and cultural tapestry of the area.

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


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Where is the Curnow family from?

You can see how Curnow families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Curnow family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Curnow families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 688 Curnow families living in Cornwall. This was about 68% of all the recorded Curnow's in United Kingdom. Cornwall had the highest population of Curnow families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Curnow 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 Curnow 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 Curnow. 18% of Curnow men worked as a General Labourer and 73% of Curnow women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Curnow were Market Gardener and Incapacitated.

View Census Data for Curnow | 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
    18%
  • Farmer
    8%
  • Cowman
    8%
  • Market Gardener
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    73%
  • Household Duties
    4%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Incapacitated
    3%

What Curnow family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 26,000 census records available for the last name Curnow. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Curnow census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Curnow

Passenger Lists

There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Curnow. 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 Curnow immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Curnow military records

You've only scratched the surface of Curnow family history

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What is the average Curnow lifespan?

Between 1946 and 2004, in the United States, Curnow life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1959, and highest in 2002. The average life expectancy for Curnow in 1946 was 56, and 80 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Curnow

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Curnow 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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