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

Oakum Family History

Oakum 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: Yoakum, Baum, Hakim, Ranum, Oak, Narum, Okuma, Oakes, Oakey, Saum

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 Oakum family from?

You can see how Oakum families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Oakum family name was found in the USA, and the UK between 1840 and 1920. The most Oakum families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there were 2 Oakum families living in New Jersey. This was about 50% of all the recorded Oakum's in USA. New Jersey had the highest population of Oakum families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Oakum surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Oakum ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer was the top reported job for people in the USA named Oakum. 60% of Oakum men worked as a Laborer. .

View Census Data for Oakum | 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
    60%
  • Farm Laborer
    40%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Oakum family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 326 census records available for the last name Oakum. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Oakum census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Oakum

Passenger Lists

There are 27 immigration records available for the last name Oakum. 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 Oakum immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 66 military records available for the last name Oakum. For the veterans among your Oakum ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Oakum military records

You've only scratched the surface of Oakum family history

Discover More

What is the average Oakum lifespan?

Between 1956 and 2003, in the United States, Oakum life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1999, and highest in 1985. The average life expectancy for Oakum in 1956 was 64, and 87 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Oakum

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Oakum family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Oakum last name

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