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Kelso Family History

Kelso Surname Meaning

Scottish: habitational name from Kelso on the river Tweed in Roxburghshire.

It is so named from Old English calc ‘chalk’.

Additionally, it incorporates hōh ‘heel spur of land’.

This etymology reflects the geographical and geological features of the region.

Kelso has a rich cultural heritage linked to its historical significance in Scotland.

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


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Where is the Kelso family from?

You can see how Kelso families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Kelso family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Kelso families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 33 Kelso families living in Lancashire. This was about 20% of all the recorded Kelso's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Kelso families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Kelso 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 Kelso ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Kelso. 45% of Kelso men worked as a General Labourer and 76% of Kelso women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Kelso were Butcher and Unpaid Household Duties.

View Census Data for Kelso | 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

  • General Labourer
    45%
  • Haulage Contractor
    34%
  • Butcher
    23%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    76%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    11%
  • Household Duties
    4%
  • Unpaid Household Duties
    4%

What Kelso family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 58,000 census records available for the last name Kelso. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Kelso census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Kelso

Passenger Lists

There are 9,000 immigration records available for the last name Kelso. 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 Kelso immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 10,000 military records available for the last name Kelso. For the veterans among your Kelso ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Kelso military records

You've only scratched the surface of Kelso family history

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What is the average Kelso lifespan?

Between 1941 and 2004, in the United States, Kelso life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1951, and highest in 1996. The average life expectancy for Kelso in 1941 was 66, and 75 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Kelso

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Kelso 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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