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 Oelke family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Oelke Family History

Oelke Surname Meaning

North German (rarely Ölke):: from a pet form of the male personal name Ulrich (see Oehl) or perhaps in some cases of the female name Olgardis.

nickname for a short person from Low German ölken ‘dwarf’.

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 Oelke family from?

You can see how Oelke families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Oelke family name was found in the USA, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Oelke families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 23 Oelke families living in Minnesota. This was about 23% of all the recorded Oelke's in USA. Minnesota and 1 other state had the highest population of Oelke families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Oelke 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 Oelke ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Housework were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Oelke. 43% of Oelke men worked as a Farmer and 27% of Oelke women worked as a Housework. Some less common occupations for Americans named Oelke were Farm Laborer and Proprietor.

View Census Data for Oelke | 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.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    43%
  • Laborer
    15%
  • Salesman
    8%
  • Farm Laborer
    7%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housework
    27%
  • Maid
    18%
  • Housewife
    14%
  • Proprietor
    9%

What Oelke family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 4,000 census records available for the last name Oelke. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Oelke census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Oelke

Passenger Lists

There are 532 immigration records available for the last name Oelke. 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 Oelke immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 847 military records available for the last name Oelke. For the veterans among your Oelke ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Oelke military records

You've only scratched the surface of Oelke family history

Discover More

What is the average Oelke lifespan?

Between 1960 and 2004, in the United States, Oelke life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1960, and highest in 1996. The average life expectancy for Oelke in 1960 was 52, and 62 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Oelke

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

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