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Ryans Family History

Ryans Name Meaning

Irish: variant of Ryan with English excrescent -s.

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


Similar surnames: Bryans, Ryant, Ryan, Brians, Ryals, Rans, Ryon, Rhyan, Roan, Rian

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

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Where is the Ryans family from?

You can see how Ryans families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Ryans family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Ryans families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 77 Ryans families living in Durham. This was about 42% of all the recorded Ryans's in United Kingdom. Durham had the highest population of Ryans families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Ryans surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Ryans ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Professional Fireman Heavy Wor and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Ryans. 50% of Ryans men worked as a Professional Fireman Heavy Wor and 95% of Ryans women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Ryans were Iron Foundry Labourer Heavy Worker and Shop Assistant Tob. .

View Census Data for Ryans | 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

  • Professional Fireman Heavy Wor
    50%
  • Iron Foundry Labourer Heavy Worker
    50%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    95%
  • Shop Assistant Tob
    6%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Ryans family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 11,000 census records available for the last name Ryans. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Ryans census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Ryans

Passenger Lists

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

Draft Cards

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

View all Ryans military records

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What is the average Ryans lifespan?

Between 1953 and 2004, in the United States, Ryans life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1959, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Ryans in 1953 was 71, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Ryans

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