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 Challen family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Challen Family History

Challen Surname Meaning

reduced form of Chalwin. see Challand. see Challons.

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 Challen family from?

You can see how Challen families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Challen family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Challen families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1911 there were 19 Challen families living in Ontario. This was about 49% of all the recorded Challen's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Challen families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Challen 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 Challen ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Gardener and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Challen. 17% of Challen men worked as a Gardener and 74% of Challen women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Challen were Builders Labourer and Domestic Servant.

View Census Data for Challen | 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.

England shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Gardener
    17%
  • Master Builder
    13%
  • General Labourer
    13%
  • Builders Labourer
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    74%
  • Private Means
    5%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    5%
  • Domestic Servant
    4%

What Challen family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 14,000 census records available for the last name Challen. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Challen census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Challen

Passenger Lists

There are 993 immigration records available for the last name Challen. 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 Challen immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Challen. For the veterans among your Challen ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Challen military records

You've only scratched the surface of Challen family history

Discover More

What is the average Challen lifespan?

Between 1959 and 2002, in the United States, Challen life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1960, and highest in 2000. The average life expectancy for Challen in 1959 was 60, and 72 in 2002.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Challen

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

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