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

Gensel Family History

Gensel Name Meaning

German: nickname from a diminutive of Gans ‘goose’. In North America this surname is also an altered form of the rare variant Gänsel.

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


Similar surnames: Genser, Bensel, Gensler, Meisel, Hensel, Wensel, Gessel, Rensel

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 Gensel family from?

You can see how Gensel families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gensel family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Gensel families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 3 Gensel families living in Quebec. This was about 75% of all the recorded Gensel's in Canada. Quebec had the highest population of Gensel families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gensel surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Gensel ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Housewife were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Gensel. 43% of Gensel men worked as a Laborer and 64% of Gensel women worked as a Housewife. Some less common occupations for Americans named Gensel were Clerk and Housekeeper. .

View Census Data for Gensel | 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.

United States shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    43%
  • Carpenter
    8%
  • Painter
    8%
  • Clerk
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housewife
    64%
  • Secretary
    19%
  • Housekeeper
    19%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Gensel family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search Canadian census records for Gensel

Passenger Lists

There are 233 immigration records available for the last name Gensel. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Gensel immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Gensel. For the veterans among your Gensel ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gensel military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gensel family history

Discover More

What is the average Gensel lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Gensel life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1973, and highest in 2001. The average life expectancy for Gensel in 1963 was 73, and 83 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gensel

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Gensel family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Gensel last name

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