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 Zelley family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Zelley Family History

Zelley Surname Meaning

see Sealey.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


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 Zelley family from?

You can see how Zelley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Zelley family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Zelley families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 5 Zelley families living in British Columbia. This was about 71% of all the recorded Zelley's in Canada. British Columbia had the highest population of Zelley families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Zelley 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 Zelley ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Clerk and Housekeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Zelley. 34% of Zelley men worked as a Clerk and 28% of Zelley women worked as a Housekeeper. Some less common occupations for Americans named Zelley were Manager and Housewife.

View Census Data for Zelley | 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

  • Clerk
    34%
  • Salesman
    17%
  • Farmer
    17%
  • Manager
    12%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housekeeper
    28%
  • Clerk
    19%
  • Secretary
    19%
  • Housewife
    19%

What Zelley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Zelley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Zelley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Zelley

Passenger Lists

There are 145 immigration records available for the last name Zelley. 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 Zelley immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 215 military records available for the last name Zelley. For the veterans among your Zelley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Zelley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Zelley family history

Discover More

What is the average Zelley lifespan?

Between 1966 and 2003, in the United States, Zelley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1971, and highest in 1966. The average life expectancy for Zelley in 1966 was 94, and 87 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Zelley

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

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