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 Shinn family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Shinn Family History

Shinn Surname Meaning

English (Norfolk and Suffolk): nickname from Middle English shin(ne) ‘fair handsome’ a variant of Shine 3 and Sheen

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 Shinn family from?

You can see how Shinn families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Shinn family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Shinn families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 19 Shinn families living in Ontario. This was about 73% of all the recorded Shinn's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Shinn families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Shinn 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 Shinn ancestors do for a living?

In 1921, Fisherman was the top reported job for people in the Canada named Shinn. 43% of Shinn men worked as a Fisherman.

View Census Data for Shinn | 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

  • Fisherman
    43%
  • Farm Help
    29%
  • Farmer
    29%

What Shinn family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 49,000 census records available for the last name Shinn. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Shinn census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Shinn

Passenger Lists

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

Draft Cards

There are 9,000 military records available for the last name Shinn. For the veterans among your Shinn ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Shinn military records

You've only scratched the surface of Shinn family history

Discover More

What is the average Shinn lifespan?

Between 1951 and 2004, in the United States, Shinn life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1955, and highest in 1998. The average life expectancy for Shinn in 1951 was 53, and 78 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Shinn

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Shinn 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 Shinn family tree

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