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

Fossen Family History

Fossen Name Meaning

Norwegian: habitational name from any of numerous farmsteads throughout Norway named Fossen from the definite form of foss ‘waterfall’ (from Old Norse fors). Dutch and German: variant of Vossen and in North America (also) an altered form of this.

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


Similar surnames: Fosse, Osen, Rossen, Olsen, Fossum, Bossen, Fossey, Kosten, Cossey

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 Fossen family from?

You can see how Fossen families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Fossen family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1871 and 1920. The most Fossen families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 23 Fossen families living in Minnesota. This was about 62% of all the recorded Fossen's in USA. Minnesota had the highest population of Fossen families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Fossen surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Fossen ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Housekeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Fossen. 32% of Fossen men worked as a Farmer and 17% of Fossen women worked as a Housekeeper. Some less common occupations for Americans named Fossen were Salesman and Secretary. .

View Census Data for Fossen | 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

  • Farmer
    32%
  • Laborer
    12%
  • Farming
    6%
  • Salesman
    6%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housekeeper
    17%
  • Waitress
    14%
  • Housewife
    14%
  • Secretary
    12%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Fossen family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 7,000 census records available for the last name Fossen. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Fossen census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Fossen

Passenger Lists

There are 838 immigration records available for the last name Fossen. 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 Fossen immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Fossen military records

You've only scratched the surface of Fossen family history

Discover More

What is the average Fossen lifespan?

Between 1962 and 2004, in the United States, Fossen life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1964, and highest in 1998. The average life expectancy for Fossen in 1962 was 63, and 85 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Fossen

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Fossen family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Fossen last name

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