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 Gells family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Gells Family History

Gells 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: Wells, Gell, Mells, Geels, Gills, Kells, Gelles, Fells, Gellis, Ells

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Gells family from?

You can see how Gells families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gells family name was found in the USA, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Gells families were found in USA in 1880. In 1851 there was 1 Gells family living in Argyll. This was 100% of all the recorded Gells's in Scotland. Argyll had the highest population of Gells families in 1851.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gells surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
  • 1851
  • 1871
  • 1881
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Gells ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer was the top reported job for people in the USA named Gells. 50% of Gells men worked as a Laborer.

View Census Data for Gells | 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
    50%
  • Farmer
    22%
  • Salesman
    15%
  • Farming
    15%

What Gells family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 543 census records available for the last name Gells. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gells census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Gells

Passenger Lists

There are 82 immigration records available for the last name Gells. 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 Gells immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 24 military records available for the last name Gells. For the veterans among your Gells ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gells military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gells family history

Discover More

What is the average Gells lifespan?

Average Gells life expectancy in 1964 was 83 years. This was higher than the general public life expectancy which was 71.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gells

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

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