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 Shames family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Shames Family History

Shames Surname Meaning

Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic): status name from Yiddish shames ‘sexton (in a synagogue)’ (Hebrew shammash).

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 Shames family from?

You can see how Shames families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Shames family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1861 and 1920. The most Shames families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 6 Shames families living in London. This was about 46% of all the recorded Shames's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Shames families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Shames 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 Shames ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Clerk were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Shames. 17% of Shames men worked as a Farmer and 40% of Shames women worked as a Clerk. Some less common occupations for Americans named Shames were Proprietor and Saleslady.

View Census Data for Shames | 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

  • Farmer
    17%
  • Salesman
    17%
  • Manager
    7%
  • Proprietor
    7%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Clerk
    40%
  • Stenographer
    20%
  • Sales Girl
    14%
  • Saleslady
    14%

What Shames family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Shames. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Shames census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Shames

Passenger Lists

There are 747 immigration records available for the last name Shames. 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 Shames immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 354 military records available for the last name Shames. For the veterans among your Shames ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Shames military records

You've only scratched the surface of Shames family history

Discover More

What is the average Shames lifespan?

Between 1948 and 2004, in the United States, Shames life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1955, and highest in 1987. The average life expectancy for Shames in 1948 was 56, and 86 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Shames

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

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