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 Ritterson family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Ritterson Family History

Ritterson Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Patterson, Catterson, Otterson, Watterson, Rickerson, Petterson

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Ritterson family from?

You can see how Ritterson families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Ritterson family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Ritterson families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 6 Ritterson families living in Norfolk. This was about 67% of all the recorded Ritterson's in United Kingdom. Norfolk had the highest population of Ritterson families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Ritterson 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 Ritterson ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Seamstress were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Ritterson. 37% of Ritterson men worked as a Laborer and 100% of Ritterson women worked as a Seamstress.

View Census Data for Ritterson | 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

  • Laborer
    37%
  • Printer
    11%
  • Painter
    11%
  • Farmer
    11%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Seamstress
    100%

What Ritterson family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Ritterson. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Ritterson census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Ritterson

Passenger Lists

There are 151 immigration records available for the last name Ritterson. 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 Ritterson immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 203 military records available for the last name Ritterson. For the veterans among your Ritterson ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Ritterson military records

You've only scratched the surface of Ritterson family history

Discover More

What is the average Ritterson lifespan?

Between 1942 and 2004, in the United States, Ritterson life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1977, and highest in 2001. The average life expectancy for Ritterson in 1942 was 37, and 86 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Ritterson

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

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