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Rhay Family History

Rhay Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Hay, Ray, Chay, Reay, Shay, Rhamy, Han, May, Ham, Chae

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Rhay family from?

You can see how Rhay families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Rhay family name was found in the USA between 1840 and 1920. The most Rhay families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there were 11 Rhay families living in Pennsylvania. This was about 79% of all the recorded Rhay's in USA. Pennsylvania had the highest population of Rhay families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Rhay 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 Rhay family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 334 census records available for the last name Rhay. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Rhay census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Rhay

Passenger Lists

There are 5 immigration records available for the last name Rhay. 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 Rhay immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 105 military records available for the last name Rhay. For the veterans among your Rhay ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Rhay military records

You've only scratched the surface of Rhay family history

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What is the average Rhay lifespan?

Between 1966 and 2004, in the United States, Rhay life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2001, and highest in 1985. The average life expectancy for Rhay in 1966 was 79, and 68 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Rhay

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Rhay 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.

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