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 Rufus family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Rufus Family History

Rufus Surname Meaning

English: variant of Ruff (see Rough) with post-medieval excrescent -(e)s. The spelling of the surname has been modified to look like the personal name Rufus which came into vernacular use in England in the 19th century. This personal name however may be the origin of the surname among African Americans (see 3 below).

African (mainly Nigeria) and probably also African American: from the personal name Rufus borne by various minor early Christian saints. Originally it was a Latin nickname for someone with red hair (see 2 above).

Slovak (mainly Rúfus): nickname for a red-haired man from Latin rufus ‘red(dish) red-haired’.

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 Rufus family from?

You can see how Rufus families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Rufus family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Rufus families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 31 Rufus families living in London. This was about 24% of all the recorded Rufus's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Rufus families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Rufus 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 Rufus ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Brewery Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Rufus. 50% of Rufus men worked as a Brewery Labourer and 67% of Rufus women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Rufus were General Labourer and Hairdresser.

View Census Data for Rufus | 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

  • Brewery Labourer
    50%
  • General Labourer
    50%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    67%
  • Incapacitated
    10%
  • Unpaid Domestic Du
    7%
  • Hairdresser
    7%

What Rufus family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 9,000 census records available for the last name Rufus. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Rufus census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Rufus

Passenger Lists

There are 659 immigration records available for the last name Rufus. 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 Rufus immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Rufus. For the veterans among your Rufus ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Rufus military records

You've only scratched the surface of Rufus family history

Discover More

What is the average Rufus lifespan?

Between 1961 and 2004, in the United States, Rufus life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1961, and highest in 1970. The average life expectancy for Rufus in 1961 was 37, and 68 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Rufus

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

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