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Onslow Family History

Onslow Surname Meaning

From Onslow (Shrops), which is recorded as Andreslaue in 1086 and Ondeslawe in about 1230. Considering the 1276 early bearer form below, the place-name probably derives from an Old English personal name *Andrǣd.

Additionally, the suffix in the name is derived from Old English hlāw, meaning ‘hill mound’. This indicates a geographical feature that may have been significant in the establishment of the place-name.

The transformation of the name over time reflects the linguistic changes that occurred in the region. Each variation captures an aspect of the area's history and the influences of different cultures.

Names like Onslow often provide insights into the early settlers and the characteristics of the landscape they inhabited. Understanding these elements can enhance our comprehension of local heritage.

In summary, the evolution of the name Onslow illustrates both personal identity and geographical landmarks that were relevant during the time of its naming.

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


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Where is the Onslow family from?

You can see how Onslow families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Onslow family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Onslow families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 105 Onslow families living in London. This was about 25% of all the recorded Onslow's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Onslow families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Onslow 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 Onslow 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 Onslow. 29% of Onslow men worked as a General Labourer and 68% of Onslow women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Onslow were Dairy Farmer and House Duties.

View Census Data for Onslow | 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
    29%
  • Aircraft Fitter
    15%
  • Farmer
    15%
  • Dairy Farmer
    15%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    68%
  • Private Means
    8%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    6%
  • House Duties
    3%

What Onslow family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 12,000 census records available for the last name Onslow. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Onslow census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Onslow

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Onslow. 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 Onslow immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Onslow. For the veterans among your Onslow ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Onslow military records

You've only scratched the surface of Onslow family history

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What is the average Onslow lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Onslow life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1995, and highest in 1999. The average life expectancy for Onslow in 1963 was 81, and 80 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Onslow

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Onslow 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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