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 Harwell family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Harwell Family History

Harwell Surname Meaning

English: habitational name from either of two places called Harwell (Berkshire Nottinghamshire). The Berkshire placename probably derives from an old hill name Hāra (itself from Old English hār ‘gray’) + Old English wella ‘well, spring, stream’

while the Nottinghamshire placename probably comes from Old English here ‘army’ + wella ‘well, spring, stream’.

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


Similar surnames: 

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Harwell family from?

You can see how Harwell families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Harwell family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Harwell families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 37 Harwell families living in London. This was about 15% of all the recorded Harwell's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Harwell families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Harwell 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 Harwell ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Clicker and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Harwell. 50% of Harwell men worked as a Clicker and 81% of Harwell women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Harwell were Incapacitated and Private Means.

View Census Data for Harwell | 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

  • Clicker
    50%
  • Incapacitated
    50%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    81%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    10%
  • Private Means
    10%

What Harwell family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 33,000 census records available for the last name Harwell. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Harwell census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Harwell

Passenger Lists

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

Draft Cards

There are 8,000 military records available for the last name Harwell. For the veterans among your Harwell ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Harwell military records

You've only scratched the surface of Harwell family history

Discover More

What is the average Harwell lifespan?

Between 1945 and 2004, in the United States, Harwell life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1945, and highest in 1995. The average life expectancy for Harwell in 1945 was 29, and 73 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Harwell

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

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