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 Gaffner family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Gaffner Family History

Gaffner Surname Meaning

Swiss German: topographic name found mainly in the Valais canton denoting someone who lived in an Alpine hut or shelter.

It originates from Romansh Gafene, which means ‘large basket Alpine dairy hut’.

This term reflects the geographic and cultural heritage of the region.

Alpine huts played a significant role in the traditional lifestyle of those living in mountainous areas.

Today, such names contribute to our understanding of local history and settlement patterns.

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 Gaffner family from?

You can see how Gaffner families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gaffner family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Gaffner families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 10 Gaffner families living in London. This was 100% of all the recorded Gaffner's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Gaffner families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gaffner 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 Gaffner ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Teacher were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Gaffner. 58% of Gaffner men worked as a Farmer and 43% of Gaffner women worked as a Teacher. Some less common occupations for Americans named Gaffner were Manager and Stenographer.

View Census Data for Gaffner | 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
    58%
  • Salesman
    20%
  • Laborer
    15%
  • Manager
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Teacher
    43%
  • Saleslady
    29%
  • Stenographer
    29%

What Gaffner family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Gaffner. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gaffner census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Gaffner

Passenger Lists

There are 189 immigration records available for the last name Gaffner. 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 Gaffner immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 226 military records available for the last name Gaffner. For the veterans among your Gaffner ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gaffner military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gaffner family history

Discover More

What is the average Gaffner lifespan?

Between 1962 and 2003, in the United States, Gaffner life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1966, and highest in 1996. The average life expectancy for Gaffner in 1962 was 68, and 84 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gaffner

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

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