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 Kempsey family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Kempsey Family History

Kempsey Surname Meaning

from Kempsey (Worcs) which is recorded as Kemeseia in the 13th century.

The place-name derives from an Old English personal name *Cemmi (genitive *Cemmes) + Old English ēg ‘island’.

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 Kempsey family from?

You can see how Kempsey families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Kempsey family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. The most Kempsey families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 4 Kempsey families living in Manitoba. This was 100% of all the recorded Kempsey's in Canada. Manitoba had the highest population of Kempsey families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Kempsey 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 Kempsey ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Waitress were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Kempsey. 50% of Kempsey men worked as a Farmer and 100% of Kempsey women worked as a Waitress.

View Census Data for Kempsey | 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

  • Farmer
    50%
  • Dairy Former
    25%
  • Carpenter
    25%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Waitress
    100%

What Kempsey family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 753 census records available for the last name Kempsey. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Kempsey census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Kempsey

Passenger Lists

There are 359 immigration records available for the last name Kempsey. 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 Kempsey immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 164 military records available for the last name Kempsey. For the veterans among your Kempsey ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Kempsey military records

You've only scratched the surface of Kempsey family history

Discover More

What is the average Kempsey lifespan?

Between 1951 and 2003, in the United States, Kempsey life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1958, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Kempsey in 1951 was 52, and 93 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Kempsey

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

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