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

Pelman Family History

Pelman 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: Selman, Polman, Kelman, Elman, Perman, Belman, Helman, Penman, Felman

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 Pelman family from?

You can see how Pelman families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Pelman family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Pelman families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there was 1 Pelman family living in Georgia. This was about 50% of all the recorded Pelman's in USA. Georgia and 1 other state had the highest population of Pelman families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Pelman surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Pelman ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Pelman. 40% of Pelman men worked as a Laborer and 34% of Pelman women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Pelman were Part Owner and Operator. .

View Census Data for Pelman | 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
    40%
  • Salesman
    27%
  • Clerk
    20%
  • Part Owner
    14%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    34%
  • Maid
    23%
  • Saleslady
    23%
  • Operator
    23%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Pelman family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search US census records for Pelman

Passenger Lists

There are 363 immigration records available for the last name Pelman. 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 Pelman immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 333 military records available for the last name Pelman. For the veterans among your Pelman ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Pelman military records

You've only scratched the surface of Pelman family history

Discover More

What is the average Pelman lifespan?

Between 1945 and 2004, in the United States, Pelman life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1945, and highest in 1992. The average life expectancy for Pelman in 1945 was 22, and 46 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Pelman

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Pelman family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Pelman last name

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