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Kil Family History

Kil Name Meaning

Korean: There is one Chinese character for the Kil surname. In the 1930 census, there was a significantly larger number of Kils living in Korea; it was the 62nd most common name in Korea. In a census taken after the Korean War, however, it had dropped to 72nd. The postwar census includes only South Korea, so it can be assumed that a relatively large number of Kils live in North Korea. There is only one Kil clan, Haep’yong. The origins of the surname are uncertain; it is believed to have originated in China. The surname Kil appears in Shilla period records, and so it is known to be old and well established. Jewish (Ashkenazic): of uncertain origin; perhaps a nickname from Yiddish kil ‘cool’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press


Similar surnames: Kim, Kiel, Kill, Ki, Kile, Qi, Kin, Keil, Xin, Kalb

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Where is the Kil family from?

You can see how Kil families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Kil family name was found in the USA in 1920. In 1920 there were 3 Kil families living in Hawaii. This was about 21% of all the recorded Kil's in the USA. Hawaii and 1 other state had the highest population of Kil families in 1920.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Kil surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Kil ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the US named Kil. 67% of Kil men worked as a Laborer.

View Census data for Kil | 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
    67%
  • Farmer
    34%

Top Female Occupations in 1940

  • Stenographer
    100%
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What Kil family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search US census records for Kil

Passenger Lists

There are 731 immigration records available for the last name Kil. 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 Kil immigration records

Draft Cards

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

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You've only scratched the surface of Kil family history.

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What is the average Kil lifespan?

Between 1970 and 2003, in the United States, Kil life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1997, and highest in 1994. The average life expectancy for Kil in 1970 was 76, and 69 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Kil

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