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 Deffer family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Deffer Family History

Deffer Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Duffer, Peffer, Deffner, Defer, Feffer, Keffer, Reifer, Decker

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Deffer family from?

You can see how Deffer families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Deffer family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Deffer families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there was 1 Deffer family living in Surrey. This was 100% of all the recorded Deffer's in United Kingdom. Surrey had the highest population of Deffer families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Deffer 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 Deffer ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Deffer. 34% of Deffer men worked as a Farmer and 43% of Deffer women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Deffer were Foreman and Domestic.

View Census Data for Deffer | 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

  • Farmer
    34%
  • Clerk
    28%
  • Salesman
    17%
  • Foreman
    12%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    43%
  • Clerk
    29%
  • Domestic
    29%

What Deffer family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 708 census records available for the last name Deffer. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Deffer census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Deffer

Passenger Lists

There are 70 immigration records available for the last name Deffer. 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 Deffer immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 136 military records available for the last name Deffer. For the veterans among your Deffer ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Deffer military records

You've only scratched the surface of Deffer family history

Discover More

What is the average Deffer lifespan?

Between 1964 and 1997, in the United States, Deffer life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1994, and highest in 1997. The average life expectancy for Deffer in 1964 was 76, and 96 in 1997.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Deffer

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

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