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 Desta family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Desta Family History

Desta Surname Meaning

Ethiopian and Eritrean: from the male personal name Desta meaning ‘joy’ in the Amharic language.

— Note: Since Ethiopians and Eritreans do not have hereditary surnames this name was registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.

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 Desta family from?

You can see how Desta families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Desta family name was found in the USA, and Canada between 1911 and 1920. The most Desta families were found in USA in 1920. In 1920 there were 3 Desta families living in New York. This was about 30% of all the recorded Desta's in USA. New York had the highest population of Desta families in 1920.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Desta 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 Desta ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer was the top reported job for people in the USA named Desta. 72% of Desta men worked as a Laborer.

View Census Data for Desta | 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

  • Laborer
    72%
  • Farmer
    29%

What Desta family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 312 census records available for the last name Desta. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Desta census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Desta

Passenger Lists

There are 116 immigration records available for the last name Desta. 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 Desta immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 14 military records available for the last name Desta. For the veterans among your Desta ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Desta military records

You've only scratched the surface of Desta family history

Discover More

What is the average Desta lifespan?

Between 1978 and 2001, in the United States, Desta life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1990, and highest in 1978. The average life expectancy for Desta in 1978 was 90, and 74 in 2001.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Desta

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

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