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Elster Family History

Elster Name Meaning

German: habitational name from any of several places so named (Saxony-Anhalt Saxony). This is also the name of a river in Saxony which in some cases may have given rise to the surname.

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


Similar surnames: Easter, Elsner, Doster, Eyster, Poster, Bester, Oster, Hoster, Ester

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 Elster family from?

You can see how Elster families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Elster family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Elster families were found in USA in 1920. In 1840 there were 2 Elster families living in New York. This was about 67% of all the recorded Elster's in USA. New York had the highest population of Elster families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Elster surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Elster ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Salesman and Saleslady were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Elster. 19% of Elster men worked as a Salesman and 17% of Elster women worked as a Saleslady. Some less common occupations for Americans named Elster were Proprietor and Housekeeper. .

View Census Data for Elster | 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

  • Salesman
    19%
  • Farmer
    16%
  • Laborer
    16%
  • Proprietor
    9%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Saleslady
    17%
  • Teacher
    14%
  • Stenographer
    14%
  • Housekeeper
    10%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Elster family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 5,000 census records available for the last name Elster. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Elster census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Elster

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Elster. 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 Elster immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 4,000 military records available for the last name Elster. For the veterans among your Elster ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Elster military records

You've only scratched the surface of Elster family history

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What is the average Elster lifespan?

Between 1959 and 2004, in the United States, Elster life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1959, and highest in 2002. The average life expectancy for Elster in 1959 was 29, and 86 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Elster

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Elster family tree

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