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Gaffke Family History

Gaffke Surname Meaning

German: from a short form of an ancient Germanic personal name formed with geba ‘gift’ (as in Gebhardt).

The name reflects the Germanic culture's emphasis on gifts and giving, which are significant themes in their history and traditions.

The use of the diminutive suffix -ke suggests an affectionate or familiar form of the name, indicating a close relationship with the bearer.

Names in this form often evolve in various ways, adapting to cultural shifts while retaining their roots in meaning and significance.

Such names serve as a connection to heritage and identity, embodying stories and values passed down through generations.

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


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Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Gaffke family from?

You can see how Gaffke families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gaffke family name was found in the USA between 1880 and 1920. The most Gaffke families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 15 Gaffke families living in Minnesota. This was about 94% of all the recorded Gaffke's in USA. Minnesota had the highest population of Gaffke families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gaffke 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 Gaffke ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Labeler were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Gaffke. 19% of Gaffke men worked as a Farmer and 34% of Gaffke women worked as a Labeler. Some less common occupations for Americans named Gaffke were Laborer and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Gaffke | 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
    19%
  • Clerk
    13%
  • Truck Driver
    10%
  • Laborer
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Labeler
    34%
  • Bookkeeper
    34%
  • Housekeeper
    34%

What Gaffke family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 953 census records available for the last name Gaffke. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gaffke census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Gaffke

Passenger Lists

There are 153 immigration records available for the last name Gaffke. 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 Gaffke immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 241 military records available for the last name Gaffke. For the veterans among your Gaffke ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gaffke military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gaffke family history

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What is the average Gaffke lifespan?

Between 1955 and 2004, in the United States, Gaffke life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1959, and highest in 1964. The average life expectancy for Gaffke in 1955 was 41, and 74 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gaffke

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Gaffke 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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