History of your Surname
Get access to Magnus family records.Start a free trial

Magnus Family History

Magnus Name Meaning

German Flemish and Walloon: from the personal name Magnus which is from the Latin adjective magnus ‘great’ or a Latinized form of a short form of ancient Germanic compound names based on the element magan ‘strength might’. The name was borne by several early Christian saints including St. Magnus (8th century) a monk in St. Gallen in Switzerland and missionary in Allgäu in southern Germany whose real name was Magnoald. This surname is also found in France (Alsace and Lorraine). In Belgium it may also be a Latinized (humanistic) form of Walloon Legrand . English Scottish Swedish Danish Norwegian and North German: from the Scandinavian personal name Magnus borne by Magnus the Good (died 1047) king of Norway and Denmark who was named for the Emperor Charlemagne Latin Carolus Magnus ‘Charles the Great’ under the impression that Magnus was a personal name. The name spread from Norway to the eastern Scandinavian royal houses and became popular all over Scandinavia and thence in the English Danelaw. It has also been adopted as a Jewish name.

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


Similar surnames: Marcus, Malkus, Manis, Mannes, Mains, Markus, Manes, Matus, Agnes

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Magnus family from?

You can see how Magnus families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Magnus family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Magnus families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 174 Magnus families living in London. This was about 67% of all the recorded Magnus's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Magnus families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Magnus 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 Magnus ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Builders Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Magnus. 24% of Magnus men worked as a Builders Labourer and 79% of Magnus women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Magnus were Traveller Commercial and Private Means. .

View Census Data for Magnus | 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

  • Builders Labourer
    24%
  • Licensed Victualler
    18%
  • Disabled
    12%
  • Traveller Commercial
    12%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    79%
  • Dressmaker
    4%
  • Housewife
    4%
  • Private Means
    4%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Magnus family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 25,000 census records available for the last name Magnus. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Magnus census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Magnus

Passenger Lists

There are 6,000 immigration records available for the last name Magnus. 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 Magnus immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 6,000 military records available for the last name Magnus. For the veterans among your Magnus ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Magnus military records

You've only scratched the surface of Magnus family history

Discover More

What is the average Magnus lifespan?

Between 1955 and 2004, in the United States, Magnus life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1955, and highest in 2001. The average life expectancy for Magnus in 1955 was 41, and 68 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Magnus

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Magnus family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Magnus last name

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