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Kelham Family History

Kelham Surname Meaning

From Kelham (Notts), which is recorded as Kelum in 1156. The place-name probably means ‘at the ridges’.

This interpretation is derived from Old Scandinavian kjǫlum, the dative plural form of kjǫlr.

The term kjǫlr translates to ‘keel ridge’, emphasizing the geographical features of the area.

Such etymological roots highlight the historical influence of Scandinavian languages in England.

Understanding place-names can provide insights into the linguistic and cultural history of a region.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


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Where is the Kelham family from?

You can see how Kelham families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Kelham family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Kelham families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 24 Kelham families living in Nottinghamshire. This was about 20% of all the recorded Kelham's in United Kingdom. Nottinghamshire had the highest population of Kelham families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Kelham 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 Kelham ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Solicitor and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Kelham. 40% of Kelham men worked as a Solicitor and 67% of Kelham women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Kelham were Bank Cashier and Housewife.

View Census Data for Kelham | 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

  • Solicitor
    40%
  • Painter
    20%
  • Builders Labourer
    20%
  • Bank Cashier
    20%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    67%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    7%
  • Incapacitated
    5%
  • Housewife
    5%

What Kelham family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search UK census records for Kelham

Passenger Lists

There are 306 immigration records available for the last name Kelham. 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 Kelham immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 318 military records available for the last name Kelham. For the veterans among your Kelham ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Kelham military records

You've only scratched the surface of Kelham family history

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What is the average Kelham lifespan?

Between 1965 and 2003, in the United States, Kelham life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1969, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Kelham in 1965 was 72, and 92 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Kelham

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Kelham 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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