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 Bretsch family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Bretsch Family History

Bretsch Surname Meaning

North German: habitational name from a place so named in the Altmark area.

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 Bretsch family from?

You can see how Bretsch families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Bretsch family name was found in the USA, and the UK between 1880 and 1920. The most Bretsch families were found in and USA in 1880. In 1880 there were 20 Bretsch families living in New York. This was about 67% of all the recorded Bretsch's in USA. New York had the highest population of Bretsch families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Bretsch 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 Bretsch ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Bretsch. 78% of Bretsch men worked as a Laborer and 50% of Bretsch women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Bretsch were Phone Clerk and Housewife.

View Census Data for Bretsch | 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

  • Laborer
    78%
  • Phone Clerk
    23%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    50%
  • Housewife
    50%

What Bretsch family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search Canadian census records for Bretsch

Passenger Lists

There are 235 immigration records available for the last name Bretsch. 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 Bretsch immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 211 military records available for the last name Bretsch. For the veterans among your Bretsch ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Bretsch military records

You've only scratched the surface of Bretsch family history

Discover More

What is the average Bretsch lifespan?

Between 1962 and 2004, in the United States, Bretsch life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1977, and highest in 1996. The average life expectancy for Bretsch in 1962 was 77, and 83 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Bretsch

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

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