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 Gessay family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Gessay Family History

Gessay 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: Essary, Vessey, Bessey, Gessel, Gess, Sessa, Hessey, Ressa, Lessa

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Gessay family from?

You can see how Gessay families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gessay family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1891 and 1920. The most Gessay families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 6 Gessay families living in Norfolk. This was about 30% of all the recorded Gessay's in United Kingdom. Norfolk and 1 other county had the highest population of Gessay families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gessay 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 Gessay ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farm Laborer and Clerk were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Gessay. 28% of Gessay men worked as a Farm Laborer and 67% of Gessay women worked as a Clerk. Some less common occupations for Americans named Gessay were Machinist and Bookkeeper.

View Census Data for Gessay | 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

  • Farm Laborer
    28%
  • Clerk
    19%
  • Farmer
    19%
  • Machinist
    19%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Clerk
    67%
  • Bookkeeper
    34%

What Gessay family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 494 census records available for the last name Gessay. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gessay census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Gessay

Passenger Lists

There are 67 immigration records available for the last name Gessay. 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 Gessay immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 84 military records available for the last name Gessay. For the veterans among your Gessay ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gessay military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gessay family history

Discover More

What is the average Gessay lifespan?

Between 1973 and 2003, in the United States, Gessay life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1992, and highest in 1973. The average life expectancy for Gessay in 1973 was 87, and 74 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gessay

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

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