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Westmoreland Family History

Westmoreland Surname Meaning

English (Yorkshire and Lincolnshire): habitational name from the former region or county of Westmorland. The placename is recorded as Westmoringa land c. 1150 and means ‘the land of the people living west of the moors’ (i.e. the Pennines).

It derives from Old English west, meaning ‘west’ or ‘western’, combined with mōr, which translates to ‘moor’. This reflects the geographical features of the area, pointing to its location relative to the moorlands.

The name also includes the groupname suffix -ingas (genitive -inga-), indicating a people or population, further emphasizing the sense of community linked to the land.

Finally, the term concludes with land, meaning ‘land’, which collectively captures the essence of Westmorland as a region inhabited by those residing to the west of the moors.

This etymology provides insight into the historical and linguistic roots of place names in England, particularly in relation to geographic and demographic factors.

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


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Where is the Westmoreland family from?

You can see how Westmoreland families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Westmoreland family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Westmoreland families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 323 Westmoreland families living in Yorkshire. This was about 52% of all the recorded Westmoreland's in United Kingdom. Yorkshire had the highest population of Westmoreland families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Westmoreland surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Westmoreland ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Westmoreland. 13% of Westmoreland men worked as a General Labourer and 79% of Westmoreland women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Westmoreland were Colliery Hewer and Unpaid Domestic.

View Census Data for Westmoreland | 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

  • General Labourer
    13%
  • Colliery Hewer Below Heavy Worker
    8%
  • Colliery Hewer Below
    8%
  • Colliery Hewer
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    79%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Unpaid House Duties
    2%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    2%

What Westmoreland family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 37,000 census records available for the last name Westmoreland. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Westmoreland census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Westmoreland

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Westmoreland. 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 Westmoreland immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 8,000 military records available for the last name Westmoreland. For the veterans among your Westmoreland ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Westmoreland military records

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What is the average Westmoreland lifespan?

Between 1943 and 2004, in the United States, Westmoreland life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1943, and highest in 1989. The average life expectancy for Westmoreland in 1943 was 20, and 70 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Westmoreland

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Westmoreland 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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