Get access to Downham family records.Start a free trial

Downham Family History

Downham Name Meaning

English: habitational name from any of various places called Downham in Cambridgeshire Essex Norfolk Suffolk and Lancashire and perhaps also from Downham Northumberland and Downholme North Yorkshire though no evidence has been found for these. The names from Lancashire and Northumberland arise from Old English dūn dative plural dūnum ‘(at) the hills’ while the others come from Old English dūn ‘hill’ + hām ‘homestead’. Altered form of English Dunham .

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

Similar surnames: Dunham, Denham, Burnham, Woodham, Newnham, Farnham, Fordham, Donham

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Downham family from?

You can see how Downham families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Downham family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Downham families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1911 there were 22 Downham families living in Ontario. This was about 58% of all the recorded Downham's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Downham families in 1911.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Downham surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

View Census Data for Downham

What Downham family records will you find?

Census Records
There are 18,000 census records available for the last name Downham. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Downham census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.
Search Canadian census records for Downham
Passenger Lists
There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Downham. 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 Downham immigration records
Draft Cards
There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Downham. For the veterans among your Downham ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.
View all Downham military records

Census Records

There are 18,000 census records available for the last name Downham. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Downham census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Downham

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Downham. 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 Downham immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Downham military records

You've only scratched the surface of Downham family history

Discover More

What is the average Downham lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2003, in the United States, Downham life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1968, and highest in 1963. The average life expectancy for Downham in 1963 was 86, and 79 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Downham

Browse profiles of historical people with the Downham last name

Start a 14-Day Free Trial