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 Sylvain family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Sylvain Family History

Sylvain Surname Meaning

French and West Indian (mainly Haiti): from the French personal name Sylvain from Latin Silvanus (a derivative of silva ‘forest wood’) bestowed in honor of various minor early Christian saints.

This surname is most common in Haiti.

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 Sylvain family from?

You can see how Sylvain families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Sylvain family name was found in the USA, Canada, and Scotland between 1861 and 1920. The most Sylvain families were found in Canada in 1911. In 1861 there were 2 Sylvain families living in Midlothian. This was 100% of all the recorded Sylvain's in Scotland. Midlothian had the highest population of Sylvain families in 1861.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Sylvain 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 Sylvain ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Stitcher were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Sylvain. 13% of Sylvain men worked as a Laborer and 25% of Sylvain women worked as a Stitcher. Some less common occupations for Americans named Sylvain were Edge Setter and Waitress.

View Census Data for Sylvain | 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
    13%
  • Farmer
    10%
  • Machinist
    7%
  • Edge Setter
    7%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stitcher
    25%
  • Housework
    20%
  • Maid
    15%
  • Waitress
    10%

What Sylvain family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search UK census records for Sylvain

Passenger Lists

There are 865 immigration records available for the last name Sylvain. 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 Sylvain immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 778 military records available for the last name Sylvain. For the veterans among your Sylvain ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Sylvain military records

You've only scratched the surface of Sylvain family history

Discover More

What is the average Sylvain lifespan?

Between 1954 and 2004, in the United States, Sylvain life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1954, and highest in 1980. The average life expectancy for Sylvain in 1954 was 31, and 69 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Sylvain

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

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