Karl Family History

Karl Surname Meaning

German: from the German personal name Karl from Old High German karl ‘man, husband, freeman’. The popularity of this name and its cognates in central and northern Europe was greatly enhanced by its status as a royal and imperial name; in particular it was bestowed in honor of the Frankish emperor Charlemagne (about 742–814; Latin name Carolus Magnus).

This surname is also found in some other European countries, e.g. in France (mainly Alsace and Lorraine), Czechia, and Croatia, but is relatively rare there. See also Carl and Charles.

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

Similar surnames: Carl, Karp, Kerl, Kall, Kari, Kara, Karol, Kaul, Karel, Kark

65K	Birth, Marriage, and Deaths
18K	Military Records
12K	Immigration Records
32K	Census and Voter Lists
84K	Member Trees

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Where is the Karl family from?

You can see how Karl families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Karl family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Karl families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 16 Karl families living in London. This was about 31% of all the recorded Karl's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Karl families in 1891.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Karl surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

View Census Data for Karl

What did your Karl ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid domestic duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Karl.

View Census Data for Karl

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.

Unpaid domestic duties

67%

member of a religious communi (benedictine nans)

34%

What Karl family records will you find?

Census Record

There are 32K census records available for the last name Karl. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Karl census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Karl

Passenger List

There are 12K immigration records available for the last name Karl. 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 Karl immigration records

Military Records

There are 18K military records available for the last name Karl. For the veterans among your Karl ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Karl military records

You've only scratched the surface of Karl family history

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What is the average Karl lifespan?

Between 1947 and 2004, in the United States, Karl life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1947, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Karl in 1947 was 34, and 77 in 2004.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Karl family tree

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Search for another surname

Karl Surname Meaning

This surname is also found in some other European countries, e.g. in France (mainly Alsace and Lorraine), Czechia, and Croatia, but is relatively rare there. See also Carl and Charles.

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

Where is the Karl family from?

What did your Karl ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid domestic duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Karl.

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.

Unpaid domestic duties

67%

member of a religious communi (benedictine nans)

34%

What Karl family records will you find?

What is the average Karl lifespan?

Between 1947 and 2004, in the United States, Karl life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1947, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Karl in 1947 was 34, and 77 in 2004.

Karl Family History

Karl Surname Meaning

213,000 record(s) for Karl

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

Where is the Karl family from?

What did your Karl ancestors do for a living?

Top Female Occupations In 1939

What Karl family records will you find?

Census Record

Passenger List

Military Records

You've only scratched the surface of Karl family history

What is the average Karl lifespan?

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Karl family tree

Search for another surname

Karl Surname Meaning

213,000 record(s) for Karl

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

Where is the Karl family from?

What did your Karl ancestors do for a living?

Top Female Occupations In 1939

What Karl family records will you find?

Census Record

Passenger List

Military Records

You've only scratched the surface of Karl family history

What is the average Karl lifespan?

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Karl family tree

Search for another surname