This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Emel family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Emel Family History

Emel Surname Meaning

Americanized form of German Immel or Imel and possibly also of Emmel.

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


Similar surnames: 

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Emel family from?

You can see how Emel families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Emel family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Emel families were found in USA in 1920. In 1911 there were 11 Emel families living in Nova Scotia. This was about 29% of all the recorded Emel's in Canada. Nova Scotia had the highest population of Emel families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Emel surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Emel ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Housewife were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Emel. 43% of Emel men worked as a Farmer and 43% of Emel women worked as a Housewife. Some less common occupations for Americans named Emel were New Worker and Stenographer.

View Census Data for Emel | 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

  • Farmer
    43%
  • Laborer
    27%
  • Labor
    20%
  • New Worker
    12%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housewife
    43%
  • Dishwasher
    29%
  • Stenographer
    29%

What Emel family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Emel. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Emel census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Emel

Passenger Lists

There are 262 immigration records available for the last name Emel. 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 Emel immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 352 military records available for the last name Emel. For the veterans among your Emel ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Emel military records

You've only scratched the surface of Emel family history

Discover More

What is the average Emel lifespan?

Between 1960 and 2004, in the United States, Emel life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1960, and highest in 1991. The average life expectancy for Emel in 1960 was 37, and 80 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Emel

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Emel ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Emel family tree

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