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Gist Family History

Gist Surname Meaning

English (Devon and Cornwall): nickname from Middle English giste which could denote a supporting timber or joist or (in Cornwall) a beam of any kind.

The surname possibly denotes a strong well-built individual.

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


Similar surnames: 

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Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Gist family from?

You can see how Gist families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gist family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Gist families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 41 Gist families living in Cornwall. This was about 33% of all the recorded Gist's in United Kingdom. Cornwall had the highest population of Gist families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gist 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 Gist ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Carpenter and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Gist. 34% of Gist men worked as a Carpenter and 82% of Gist women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Gist were General Carrier and School Cleaner.

View Census Data for Gist | 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.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Carpenter
    34%
  • Blacksmith Assisting Fa
    34%
  • General Carrier
    34%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    82%
  • Unpaid
    7%
  • Domestic Duties
    7%
  • School Cleaner
    7%

What Gist family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 27,000 census records available for the last name Gist. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gist census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Gist

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Gist. 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 Gist immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 6,000 military records available for the last name Gist. For the veterans among your Gist ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gist military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gist family history

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What is the average Gist lifespan?

Between 1943 and 2004, in the United States, Gist life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1943, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Gist in 1943 was 27, and 74 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gist

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Gist 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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