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 Kingsley family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Kingsley Family History

Kingsley Surname Meaning

English: habitational name from any of the places called Kingsley in Cheshire, Hampshire, and Staffordshire.

The placenames derive from Old English cing ‘king’ (genitive cinges) + lēah ‘woodland clearing’.

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 Kingsley family from?

You can see how Kingsley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Kingsley family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Kingsley families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 151 Kingsley families living in London. This was about 25% of all the recorded Kingsley's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Kingsley families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Kingsley 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 Kingsley 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 Kingsley. 27% of Kingsley men worked as a General Labourer and 76% of Kingsley women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Kingsley were Medical Practitioner and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Kingsley | 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
    27%
  • Waiter
    12%
  • Lorry Driver
    8%
  • Medical Practitioner
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    76%
  • Private Means
    3%
  • Domestic Duties
    2%
  • Housekeeper
    2%

What Kingsley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 79,000 census records available for the last name Kingsley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Kingsley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Kingsley

Passenger Lists

There are 7,000 immigration records available for the last name Kingsley. 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 Kingsley immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Kingsley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Kingsley family history

Discover More

What is the average Kingsley lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Kingsley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1951, and highest in 1990. The average life expectancy for Kingsley in 1940 was 65, and 75 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Kingsley

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

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