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 Selma family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Selma Family History

Selma 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: Selman, Sella, Selva, Sesma, Stelma, Helm, Sala, Serra, Stella, Shima

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Selma family from?

You can see how Selma families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Selma family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. The most Selma families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there was 1 Selma family living in London. This was 100% of all the recorded Selma's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Selma families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Selma 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 Selma ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Selma. 37% of Selma men worked as a Laborer and 17% of Selma women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Selma were Manager and Teaching.

View Census Data for Selma | 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%
  • Farmer
    22%
  • Shipping Clerk
    22%
  • Manager
    11%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    17%
  • Saleslady
    17%
  • Housekeeper
    12%
  • Teaching
    12%

What Selma family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search UK census records for Selma

Passenger Lists

There are 854 immigration records available for the last name Selma. 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 Selma immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 154 military records available for the last name Selma. For the veterans among your Selma ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Selma military records

You've only scratched the surface of Selma family history

Discover More

What is the average Selma lifespan?

Between 1965 and 2004, in the United States, Selma life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1999, and highest in 1988. The average life expectancy for Selma in 1965 was 35, and 84 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Selma

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

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