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Pethel Family History

Pethel Name Meaning

Americanized form of German Bechtel or of its very rare variant Bächtel (see Bachtel ). Compare Petell . Possibly also an altered form of German and Welsh Bethel .

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


Similar surnames: Pethtel, Bethell, Bethea, Bethel, Metzel, Rechel, Berthel, Petree

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

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Where is the Pethel family from?

You can see how Pethel families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Pethel family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Pethel families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 12 Pethel families living in North Carolina. This was about 48% of all the recorded Pethel's in USA. North Carolina had the highest population of Pethel families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Pethel surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Pethel ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Saleslady were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Pethel. 29% of Pethel men worked as a Farmer and 22% of Pethel women worked as a Saleslady. Some less common occupations for Americans named Pethel were Towel Cutter and Cashier. .

View Census Data for Pethel | 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
    29%
  • Carpenter
    19%
  • Truck Driver
    13%
  • Towel Cutter
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Saleslady
    22%
  • Laborer
    22%
  • Farm Laborer
    15%
  • Cashier
    15%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Pethel family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search US census records for Pethel

Passenger Lists

There are 74 immigration records available for the last name Pethel. 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 Pethel immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 463 military records available for the last name Pethel. For the veterans among your Pethel ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Pethel military records

You've only scratched the surface of Pethel family history

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What is the average Pethel lifespan?

Between 1944 and 2004, in the United States, Pethel life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1973, and highest in 1968. The average life expectancy for Pethel in 1944 was 47, and 75 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Pethel

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Pethel family tree

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