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 Helmer family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Helmer Family History

Helmer Surname Meaning

South German: occupational name for a helmet-maker from Middle High German helm ‘helmet’ + the agent suffix -er.

German and Dutch: from a personal name composed of the ancient Germanic elements helm ‘helmet protection’ + heri hari ‘army’; or from one composed of the elements hail ‘whole sound’ + mari meri ‘renowned’; or from one composed of the elements helm ‘helmet’ + hard ‘hardy brave strong’.

Jewish (Ashkenazic): artificial name a derivative of Helm.

English: variant of Elmer with prosthetic initial H-.

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 Helmer family from?

You can see how Helmer families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Helmer family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Helmer families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 151 Helmer families living in Ontario. This was about 74% of all the recorded Helmer's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Helmer families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Helmer 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 Helmer ancestors do for a living?

In 1921, Farmer and Farmer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the Canada named Helmer. 56% of Helmer men worked as a Farmer and 50% of Helmer women worked as a Farmer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Helmer were Fisherman and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Helmer | 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

  • Farmer
    56%
  • Labourer
    10%
  • Laborer
    8%
  • Fisherman
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1921

  • Farmer
    50%
  • Income
    25%
  • Housekeeper
    25%

What Helmer family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 37,000 census records available for the last name Helmer. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Helmer census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Helmer

Passenger Lists

There are 4,000 immigration records available for the last name Helmer. 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 Helmer immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 7,000 military records available for the last name Helmer. For the veterans among your Helmer ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Helmer military records

You've only scratched the surface of Helmer family history

Discover More

What is the average Helmer lifespan?

Between 1944 and 2004, in the United States, Helmer life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1944, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Helmer in 1944 was 26, and 82 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Helmer

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

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