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Hamburg Family History

Hamburg Surname Meaning

German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): habitational name from the great city and port at the mouth of the river Elbe.

This name is derived from the ancient Germanic elements ham ‘water meadow’ and burg ‘fortress’ or ‘fortified town’.

The combination of these elements signifies a location that was both agriculturally rich and strategically significant.

Over time, this name has been adopted by various families, reflecting their geographic roots in the region.

The historical importance of the city at the river’s mouth also emphasizes its role in trade and commerce.

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 Hamburg family from?

You can see how Hamburg families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Hamburg family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Hamburg families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 43 Hamburg families living in London. This was about 61% of all the recorded Hamburg's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Hamburg families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Hamburg 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 Hamburg ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Tailors Presser and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Hamburg. 60% of Hamburg men worked as a Tailors Presser and 80% of Hamburg women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Hamburg were Journeyman Tailor (gents) and Shorthand Typist.

View Census Data for Hamburg | 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

  • Tailors Presser
    60%
  • Journeyman Tailor (gents)
    40%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    80%
  • Domestic Servant
    10%
  • Shorthand Typist
    10%

What Hamburg family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 12,000 census records available for the last name Hamburg. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Hamburg census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Hamburg

Passenger Lists

There are 4,000 immigration records available for the last name Hamburg. 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 Hamburg immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 25,000 military records available for the last name Hamburg. For the veterans among your Hamburg ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Hamburg military records

You've only scratched the surface of Hamburg family history

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What is the average Hamburg lifespan?

Between 1945 and 2004, in the United States, Hamburg life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1948, and highest in 2001. The average life expectancy for Hamburg in 1945 was 49, and 70 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Hamburg

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

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