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Ken Family History

Ken Name Meaning

English: habitational name from either of two places called Kenn in Devon and Avon (Somerset) both of which take their name from the streams on which they stand. English (of Norman origin): from Anglo-Norman French ken chen Old French chien ‘dog’ (from Latin canis) possibly applied as a nickname or as a metonymic occupational name for someone who kept hunting dogs. In some cases possibly also an Americanized form of German Kenn . Scottish: possibly a shortened form of Kenna .

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


Similar surnames: Kan, Kern, Kew, Kin, Keen, Len, Ren, Kon, Wen, Kent

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Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

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Where is the Ken family from?

You can see how Ken families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Ken family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Ken families were found in Canada in 1911. In 1840 there were 2 Ken families living in Ohio. This was about 50% of all the recorded Ken's in USA. Ohio had the highest population of Ken families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Ken 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 Ken ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Housekeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Ken. 24% of Ken men worked as a Farmer and 19% of Ken women worked as a Housekeeper. Some less common occupations for Americans named Ken were Truck Driver and Teacher. .

View Census Data for Ken | 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
    24%
  • Laborer
    23%
  • Salesman
    10%
  • Truck Driver
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housekeeper
    19%
  • Housewife
    16%
  • Stenographer
    13%
  • Teacher
    10%
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What Ken family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 14,000 census records available for the last name Ken. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Ken census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Ken

Passenger Lists

There are 4,000 immigration records available for the last name Ken. 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 Ken immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 21,000 military records available for the last name Ken. For the veterans among your Ken ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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What is the average Ken lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2003, in the United States, Ken life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2001, and highest in 1972. The average life expectancy for Ken in 1963 was 55, and 54 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Ken

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