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Shenks Family History

Shenks 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: Shanks, Shenk, Sheaks, Sheeks, Schenk, Shen, Sens, Sheng, Shenoy

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Shenks family from?

You can see how Shenks families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Shenks family name was found in the USA, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Shenks families were found in USA in 1920. In 1901 there was 1 Shenks family living in Dumbartonshire. This was 100% of all the recorded Shenks's in Scotland. Dumbartonshire had the highest population of Shenks families in 1901.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Shenks surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What Shenks family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 230 census records available for the last name Shenks. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Shenks census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Shenks

Passenger Lists

There are 22 immigration records available for the last name Shenks. 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 Shenks immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 35 military records available for the last name Shenks. For the veterans among your Shenks ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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You've only scratched the surface of Shenks family history

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What is the average Shenks lifespan?

Between 1971 and 1998, in the United States, Shenks life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1973, and highest in 1971. The average life expectancy for Shenks in 1971 was 89, and 88 in 1998.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Shenks

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Shenks 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.

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