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Thetford Family History

Thetford Surname Meaning

English (Norfolk): habitational name from Thetford in Norfolk. The placename means ‘public ford’ from Old English thēod ‘nation people’ also with the sense ‘common public’.

The term ford refers to a shallow place in a river or stream where one can cross.

The etymology reflects the geographic and social characteristics of the area during the time the name was established.

This name is significant as it conveys the importance of communal spaces in early communities.

Understanding place names like Thetford can provide insights into historical settlement patterns and local governance.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


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Where is the Thetford family from?

You can see how Thetford families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Thetford family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. The most Thetford families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 76 Thetford families living in Norfolk. This was about 39% of all the recorded Thetford's in United Kingdom. Norfolk had the highest population of Thetford families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Thetford 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 did your Thetford ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Bricklayer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Thetford. 25% of Thetford men worked as a Bricklayer and 82% of Thetford women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Thetford were Cowman and Unpaid Domestic.

View Census Data for Thetford | 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.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Bricklayer
    25%
  • Carpenter
    25%
  • Bus Driver
    17%
  • Cowman
    17%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    82%
  • Hotel Keeper
    4%
  • Unpaid Domestic Du
    4%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%

What Thetford family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 6,000 census records available for the last name Thetford. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Thetford census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Thetford

Passenger Lists

There are 521 immigration records available for the last name Thetford. 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 Thetford immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Thetford military records

You've only scratched the surface of Thetford family history

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What is the average Thetford lifespan?

Between 1957 and 2004, in the United States, Thetford life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1957, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Thetford in 1957 was 50, and 82 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Thetford

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Thetford 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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