Downey Family History

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Downey Name Meaning

Irish: reduced Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Dúnadhaigh ‘descendant of Dúnadhach’, a personal name meaning ‘fortress-holder’ (from dún ‘fortress’, ‘fortified hill’). Irish: reduced Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Maol Dhomhnaigh, or of Mac Giolla Dhomnaigh (see Maloney). Scottish: habitational name from the Scottish barony of Downie or Duny in the parish of Monikie in Angus (on Tayside), named from Gaelic dùn ‘hill’ + the locative suffix -ach.

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


Similar surnames: Dorney, Torney, Downen, Downes, Looney, Disney, Dolney, Downer

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Downey Family Origin

Where is the Downey family from?

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Downey Family Occupations

What did your Downey ancestors do for a living?

Census records can tell you a lot of little known facts about your Downey ancestors, such as occupation. Occupation can tell you about your ancestor's social and economic status.

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  • Labourer

    8%

  • Bricklayer

    2%

  • Charwoman

    2%

  • Coal Miner

    2%

In 1881, Labourer, Bricklayer and Charwoman were the top 3 reported jobs worked by Downey. A less common occupation for the Downey family was Coal Miner. The most common Downey occupation in the UK was Labourer. 8% of Downey's were Labourers.

Source: Census data for Downey | Data not to scale

Downey Historical Records

What Downey family records will you find?

Census records can give you a fascinating window into the day-to-day lives of your Downey ancestors - like hours worked per week, level of education, veteran status, employers, and more.

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Downey Life Expectancy

What is the average Downey lifespan?

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Downey 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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United States

Famous Downey Family

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Nikola Tesla1856 - 1943 (86)
Abraham Lincoln1809 - 1865 (56)
Grace Kelly1929 - 1982 (52)
Albert Einstein1879 - 1955 (76)
Nikola Tesla1856 - 1943 (86)
Abraham Lincoln1809 - 1865 (56)
Grace Kelly1929 - 1982 (52)

Martin Luther King, Jr.1929 - 1968 (39)
John Philip Sousa1854 - 1932 (77)
Babe Ruth1895 - 1948 (53)
Amelia Earhart1897 - 1939 (41)
Martin Luther King, Jr.1929 - 1968 (39)
John Philip Sousa1854 - 1932 (77)
Babe Ruth1895 - 1948 (53)
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