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Harstad Family History

Harstad Surname Meaning

Norwegian: habitational name from any of several farmsteads notably in southeastern Norway so named from the Old Norse personal name Hǫrthr (someone from Hǫrthaland) or Hárekr (from Há which is unexplained + rekr ‘powerful ruler’).

The term stathr refers to a 'farmstead dwelling'.

This etymology highlights the significance of personal names and their connections to geographical locations in Norwegian heritage.

The composition of these names reflects both individual identity and community ties within the cultural context of Norway.

Overall, these names serve as a reminder of the rich agricultural history and the importance of land in shaping family identities.

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


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Where is the Harstad family from?

You can see how Harstad families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Harstad family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Harstad families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 3 Harstad families living in London. This was 100% of all the recorded Harstad's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Harstad families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Harstad 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 Harstad ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Maid were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Harstad. 45% of Harstad men worked as a Farmer and 19% of Harstad women worked as a Maid. Some less common occupations for Americans named Harstad were Carpenter and Cook.

View Census Data for Harstad | 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
    45%
  • Laborer
    10%
  • Farm Laborer
    7%
  • Carpenter
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Maid
    19%
  • Teacher
    13%
  • Housewife
    10%
  • Cook
    10%

What Harstad family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Harstad. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Harstad census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Harstad

Passenger Lists

There are 703 immigration records available for the last name Harstad. 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 Harstad immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 506 military records available for the last name Harstad. For the veterans among your Harstad ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Harstad military records

You've only scratched the surface of Harstad family history

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What is the average Harstad lifespan?

Between 1954 and 2004, in the United States, Harstad life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1965, and highest in 1985. The average life expectancy for Harstad in 1954 was 46, and 73 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Harstad

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Harstad 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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