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 Sylva family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Sylva Family History

Sylva Surname Meaning

Altered form of Portuguese Galician and Italian Silva.

Outside the US this surname is most common in Senegal and the Gambia where it is of Portuguese origin.

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 Sylva family from?

You can see how Sylva families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Sylva family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Sylva families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 4 Sylva families living in Lancashire. This was about 80% of all the recorded Sylva's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Sylva families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Sylva 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 Sylva ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Bookkeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Sylva. 27% of Sylva men worked as a Laborer and 18% of Sylva women worked as a Bookkeeper. Some less common occupations for Americans named Sylva were Salesman and Teacher.

View Census Data for Sylva | 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
    27%
  • Truck Driver
    10%
  • Farmer
    10%
  • Salesman
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Bookkeeper
    18%
  • Waitress
    18%
  • Maid
    11%
  • Teacher
    7%

What Sylva family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 8,000 census records available for the last name Sylva. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Sylva census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Sylva

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Sylva. 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 Sylva immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Sylva military records

You've only scratched the surface of Sylva family history

Discover More

What is the average Sylva lifespan?

Between 1946 and 2004, in the United States, Sylva life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1966, and highest in 1967. The average life expectancy for Sylva in 1946 was 38, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Sylva

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

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