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Knowels Family History

Knowels 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: Nowels, Knobel, Knowles, Knoell, Knodel, Knoles, Nowell, Vowels

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 Knowels family from?

You can see how Knowels families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Knowels family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Knowels families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there were 2 Knowels families living in Ohio. This was about 67% of all the recorded Knowels's in USA. Ohio had the highest population of Knowels families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Knowels surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Knowels ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Maid were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Knowels. 31% of Knowels men worked as a Laborer and 38% of Knowels women worked as a Maid. Some less common occupations for Americans named Knowels were Helper and Nurse. .

View Census Data for Knowels | 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
    31%
  • Salesman
    14%
  • Farming
    14%
  • Helper
    9%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Maid
    38%
  • Housewife
    38%
  • Nurse
    25%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Knowels family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Knowels. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Knowels census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Knowels

Passenger Lists

There are 113 immigration records available for the last name Knowels. 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 Knowels immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 152 military records available for the last name Knowels. For the veterans among your Knowels ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Knowels military records

You've only scratched the surface of Knowels family history

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What is the average Knowels lifespan?

Between 1968 and 2002, in the United States, Knowels life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1998, and highest in 2002. The average life expectancy for Knowels in 1968 was 71, and 101 in 2002.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Knowels

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Knowels family tree

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