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

Ali Family History

Ali Name Meaning

Arabic: from the personal name ʿAlī ‘high lofty sublime’. Al-ʿAlī ‘the All-High’ is an attribute of God/Allah also seen in the compound name ʿAbd al-ʿAlī ʿAbdul-ʿAlī (see Abdulali ). The name ʿAlī was borne by the first imam of the Shiite Muslims ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (c. 600–661). This surname is found among both Muslims and Christians. In North America it is also established among African Americans. Compare Alali Alli and Aly .

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


Similar surnames: Wali, Alf, Li, Aloi, Alm, Alli, Alix, Aldi, Al, Aly

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 Ali family from?

You can see how Ali families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Ali family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1880 and 1920. The most Ali families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 9 Ali families living in New York. This was about 82% of all the recorded Ali's in USA. New York had the highest population of Ali families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Ali surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Ali ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Housewife were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Ali. 26% of Ali men worked as a Laborer and 21% of Ali women worked as a Housewife. Some less common occupations for Americans named Ali were Asp Cutter and Seamstress. .

View Census Data for Ali | 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
    26%
  • Dishwasher
    12%
  • Barber
    4%
  • Asp Cutter
    4%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housewife
    21%
  • Waitress
    14%
  • Housekeeper
    11%
  • Seamstress
    11%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Ali family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 19,000 census records available for the last name Ali. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Ali census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Ali

Passenger Lists

There are 39,000 immigration records available for the last name Ali. 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 Ali immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 26,000 military records available for the last name Ali. For the veterans among your Ali ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Ali military records

You've only scratched the surface of Ali family history

Discover More

What is the average Ali lifespan?

Between 1951 and 2004, in the United States, Ali life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1971, and highest in 1966. The average life expectancy for Ali in 1951 was 55, and 57 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Ali

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Ali family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Ali last name

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