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Risley Family History

Risley Name Meaning

English: habitational name from Risley in Winwick (Lancashire) Risley (Derbyshire) Riseley (Bedfordshire) or Riseley Farm in Swallowfield (Berkshire). The placenames derive from Old English hrīs ‘brushwood’ + lēah ‘woodland clearing’.

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


Similar surnames: Riley, Ridley, Ripley, Brisley, Grimley, Willey, Tilley, Brimley

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Where is the Risley family from?

You can see how Risley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Risley family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Risley families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 10 Risley families living in Saskatchewan. This was about 30% of all the recorded Risley's in Canada. Saskatchewan had the highest population of Risley families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Risley surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Risley ancestors do for a living?

In 1921, Labourer and Saleswoman were the top reported jobs for men and women in the Canada named Risley. 70% of Risley men worked as a Labourer and 100% of Risley women worked as a Saleswoman. .

View Census Data for Risley | 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 1921

  • Labourer
    70%
  • Farmer
    30%

Top Female Occupations In 1921

  • Saleswoman
    100%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Risley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 38,000 census records available for the last name Risley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Risley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Risley

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Risley. 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 Risley immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 5,000 military records available for the last name Risley. For the veterans among your Risley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Risley military records

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What is the average Risley lifespan?

Between 1945 and 2004, in the United States, Risley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1947, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Risley in 1945 was 49, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Risley

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