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

Gernan Family History

Gernan 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: German, Gernon, Hernan, Gernand, Kernan, Germain, Gorman, Verran

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 Gernan family from?

You can see how Gernan families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gernan family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Gernan families were found in USA in 1880. In 1880 there were 10 Gernan families living in New York. This was about 29% of all the recorded Gernan's in USA. New York had the highest population of Gernan families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gernan surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Gernan ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farm Laborer was the top reported job for people in the USA named Gernan. 50% of Gernan men worked as a Farm Laborer. .

View Census Data for Gernan | 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

  • Farm Laborer
    50%
  • Laborer
    50%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Gernan family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 461 census records available for the last name Gernan. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gernan census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Gernan

Passenger Lists

There are 75 immigration records available for the last name Gernan. 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 Gernan immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 238 military records available for the last name Gernan. For the veterans among your Gernan ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gernan military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gernan family history

Discover More

What is the average Gernan lifespan?

Between 1969 and 2002, in the United States, Gernan life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1999, and highest in 1973. The average life expectancy for Gernan in 1969 was 71, and 88 in 2002.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gernan

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Gernan family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Gernan last name

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