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 Gresham family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Gresham Family History

Gresham Surname Meaning

English (Yorkshire and Lincolnshire): habitational name from a place in Norfolk so named from Old English græs gærs ‘grass(land) pasturage’.

It combines the elements of grass and homestead, which reflects the pastoral nature of the area.

The term hām refers to a ‘homestead’, while hamm signifies an ‘enclosure hemmed in by water’.

This etymology highlights the geographical and agricultural significance of the location.

Overall, the name illustrates the historical connection between the landscape and the communities that have inhabited it.

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 Gresham family from?

You can see how Gresham families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gresham family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Gresham families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 7 Gresham families living in Ontario. This was about 54% of all the recorded Gresham's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Gresham families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gresham 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 Gresham ancestors do for a living?

In 1921, Cultivateur and Cultivateur were the top reported jobs for men and women in the Canada named Gresham. 50% of Gresham men worked as a Cultivateur and 100% of Gresham women worked as a Cultivateur.

View Census Data for Gresham | 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

  • Cultivateur
    50%
  • Student
    25%
  • Farmer
    25%

Top Female Occupations In 1921

  • Cultivateur
    100%

What Gresham family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 46,000 census records available for the last name Gresham. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gresham census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Gresham

Passenger Lists

There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Gresham. 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 Gresham immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 12,000 military records available for the last name Gresham. For the veterans among your Gresham ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gresham military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gresham family history

Discover More

What is the average Gresham lifespan?

Between 1941 and 2004, in the United States, Gresham life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1942, and highest in 1996. The average life expectancy for Gresham in 1941 was 37, and 70 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gresham

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

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