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

Gainen Family History

Gainen 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: Gaines, Gainey, Gainer, Garner, Paine, Garten, Laine, Raine, Raines

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 Gainen family from?

You can see how Gainen families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gainen family name was found in the USA between 1880 and 1920. The most Gainen families were found in and USA in 1880. In 1880 there were 2 Gainen families living in Minnesota. This was about 50% of all the recorded Gainen's in USA. Minnesota and 1 other state had the highest population of Gainen families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gainen surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Gainen ancestors do for a living?

Census records can tell you a lot of little known facts about your Gainen ancestors, such as occupation. Occupation can tell you about your ancestor's social and economic status.

What Gainen family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 165 census records available for the last name Gainen. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gainen census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Gainen

Passenger Lists

There are 37 immigration records available for the last name Gainen. 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 Gainen immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 32 military records available for the last name Gainen. For the veterans among your Gainen ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gainen military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gainen family history

Discover More

What is the average Gainen lifespan?

Between 1964 and 2001, in the United States, Gainen life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1967, and highest in 1987. The average life expectancy for Gainen in 1964 was 72, and 81 in 2001.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gainen

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Gainen family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Gainen last name

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