Better Family History

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Better Name Meaning

Translation of French Lemieux. English: nickname from Old English betere ‘fighter’, ‘beater’. Reaney suggests it may also be a short form of the various occupational names ending with -better, for example Leadbetter. German (Bavarian): metonymic occupational name for a maker of rosaries, from Bavarian better ‘rosary’ (from beten ‘to pray’).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press


Similar surnames: Butter, Setter, Netter, Bester, Wetter, Getter, Retter, Bitter

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Better Family Origin

Where is the Better family from?

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You can see how Better families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Better family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Better families were found in the USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 10 Better families living in London. This was about 20% of all the recorded Better's in the UK. London had the highest population of Better families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Better surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

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Better Family Occupations

What did your Better ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Ante Gas Instructor and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the UK named Better. 13% of Better men worked as an Ante Gas Instructor and 55% of Better women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Better were General Labourer and Hospital Assistant Nurse

View Census data for Better | Data not to scale

Top Male Occupations in 1939

  • Ante Gas Instructor
    13%
  • Dairy Farmer Own Account
    13%
  • Despatch Clerk (bedding Manufacturers)
    13%
  • General Labourer
    13%

Top Female Occupations in 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    55%
  • Drapery Dealer
    10%
  • Farmer Retired
    10%
  • Hospital Assistant Nurse
    10%

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Better Historical Records

What Better family records will you find?

Census Record

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

Search 1891 UK census records for Better

Passenger List

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Better. 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 Better immigration records

Draft Card

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

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Better Life Expectancy

What is the average Better lifespan?

Between 1961 and 2004, in the United States, Better life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1994, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Better in 1961 was 56, and 94 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Better

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Better 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.

Famous Better Family Ancestors

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