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Otterbein Family History

Otterbein Name Meaning

German: nickname from Middle High German oter ‘otter’ + bein ‘bone leg’; its precise application is unclear.

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


Similar surnames: Gantenbein, Otterman, Osterberg, Rehbein, Hottenstein, Oberbeck

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Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

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Where is the Otterbein family from?

You can see how Otterbein families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Otterbein family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Otterbein families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 8 Otterbein families living in London. This was 100% of all the recorded Otterbein's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Otterbein families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Otterbein surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Otterbein ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Salesman and Clerk were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Otterbein. 16% of Otterbein men worked as a Salesman and 25% of Otterbein women worked as a Clerk. Some less common occupations for Americans named Otterbein were Farmer and Maid. .

View Census Data for Otterbein | 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

  • Salesman
    16%
  • Baker
    12%
  • Laborer
    12%
  • Farmer
    12%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Clerk
    25%
  • Housekeeper
    25%
  • Teacher
    17%
  • Maid
    17%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Otterbein family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Otterbein. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Otterbein census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Otterbein

Passenger Lists

There are 417 immigration records available for the last name Otterbein. 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 Otterbein immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 675 military records available for the last name Otterbein. For the veterans among your Otterbein ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Otterbein military records

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What is the average Otterbein lifespan?

Between 1955 and 2004, in the United States, Otterbein life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1959, and highest in 1992. The average life expectancy for Otterbein in 1955 was 44, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Otterbein

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