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

Cortland Family History

Cortland Name Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Courtland, Mortland, Copeland, Norland, Morland, Worland, Scotland

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 Cortland family from?

You can see how Cortland families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Cortland family name was found in the USA, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Cortland families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there were 2 Cortland families living in New York. This was about 67% of all the recorded Cortland's in USA. New York had the highest population of Cortland families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Cortland surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Cortland ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Salesman and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Cortland. 34% of Cortland men worked as a Salesman and 100% of Cortland women worked as a Stenographer. .

View Census Data for Cortland | 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 1940

  • Salesman
    34%
  • Truck Driver
    23%
  • New Worker
    23%
  • Laborer
    23%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    100%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Cortland family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search US census records for Cortland

Passenger Lists

There are 120 immigration records available for the last name Cortland. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Cortland immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 945 military records available for the last name Cortland. For the veterans among your Cortland ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Cortland military records

You've only scratched the surface of Cortland family history

Discover More

What is the average Cortland lifespan?

Between 1967 and 2004, in the United States, Cortland life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1985, and highest in 1997. The average life expectancy for Cortland in 1967 was 70, and 83 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Cortland

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Cortland family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Cortland last name

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