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

Harlam Family History

Harlam 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: Hallam, Haslam, Harlan, Alam, Harland, Harman, Harle, Barlas, Harley

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 Harlam family from?

You can see how Harlam families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Harlam family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Harlam families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there was 1 Harlam family living in Maine. This was about 50% of all the recorded Harlam's in USA. Maine and 1 other state had the highest population of Harlam families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Harlam surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Harlam ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Office Clerk were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Harlam. 23% of Harlam men worked as a Laborer and 17% of Harlam women worked as an Office Clerk. Some less common occupations for Americans named Harlam were Carpenter and Teacher. .

View Census Data for Harlam | 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

  • Laborer
    23%
  • Salesman
    20%
  • Farmer
    17%
  • Carpenter
    12%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Office Clerk
    17%
  • Secretary
    17%
  • Maid
    17%
  • Teacher
    17%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Harlam family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Harlam. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Harlam census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Harlam

Passenger Lists

There are 392 immigration records available for the last name Harlam. 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 Harlam immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 191 military records available for the last name Harlam. For the veterans among your Harlam ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Harlam military records

You've only scratched the surface of Harlam family history

Discover More

What is the average Harlam lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Harlam life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2004, and highest in 1982. The average life expectancy for Harlam in 1963 was 74, and 40 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Harlam

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Harlam family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Harlam last name

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