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Gilliss Family History

Gilliss Name Meaning

Scottish and Irish: variant of Gillis .

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


Similar surnames: Gillies, Gillis, Gillie, Gillispie, Gillins, Gillison, Gallis, Gilles

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 Gilliss family from?

You can see how Gilliss families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gilliss family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Gilliss families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there were 2 Gilliss families living in Kentucky. This was about 29% of all the recorded Gilliss's in USA. Kentucky and 1 other state had the highest population of Gilliss families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gilliss surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
  • 1840
  • 1880
  • 1920
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What did your Gilliss ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Housewife were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Gilliss. 50% of Gilliss men worked as a Farmer and 31% of Gilliss women worked as a Housewife. Some less common occupations for Americans named Gilliss were Owner Operator and Clerk. .

View Census Data for Gilliss | 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

  • Farmer
    50%
  • Truck Driver
    17%
  • Carpenter
    17%
  • Owner Operator
    17%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housewife
    31%
  • Teacher
    24%
  • Saleslady
    16%
  • Clerk
    16%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Gilliss family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search US census records for Gilliss

Passenger Lists

There are 226 immigration records available for the last name Gilliss. 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 Gilliss immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 480 military records available for the last name Gilliss. For the veterans among your Gilliss ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gilliss military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gilliss family history

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What is the average Gilliss lifespan?

Between 1954 and 2004, in the United States, Gilliss life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1954, and highest in 1981. The average life expectancy for Gilliss in 1954 was 38, and 42 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gilliss

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