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 Retter family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Retter Family History

Retter Surname Meaning

English (of Norman origin): perhaps an occupational name for a net-maker from Old French retier Anglo-Norman French retour. Compare Netter.

English: perhaps an occupational name from Middle English retten ‘to soak flax or hemp in water’ + the derivational suffix -our or -er used for someone who prepared flax or hemp fibre.

German: from an ancient Germanic personal name composed with rād rāt ‘counsel’ + hari heri ‘army’.

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 Retter family from?

You can see how Retter families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Retter family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Retter families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 73 Retter families living in Devon. This was about 60% of all the recorded Retter's in United Kingdom. Devon had the highest population of Retter families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Retter 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 Retter ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Farmer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Retter. 35% of Retter men worked as a Farmer and 79% of Retter women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Retter were Agri Farmer and Unpaid Household Duties.

View Census Data for Retter | 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

  • Farmer
    35%
  • Farmer Retired
    15%
  • Lorry Driver
    10%
  • Agri Farmer
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    79%
  • Private Means
    5%
  • Housekeeper
    5%
  • Unpaid Household Duties
    3%

What Retter family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 16,000 census records available for the last name Retter. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Retter census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Retter

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Retter. 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 Retter immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Retter military records

You've only scratched the surface of Retter family history

Discover More

What is the average Retter lifespan?

Between 1962 and 2004, in the United States, Retter life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2000, and highest in 1967. The average life expectancy for Retter in 1962 was 77, and 85 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Retter

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

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