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 Kessen family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Kessen Family History

Kessen Surname Meaning

Scottish (Lanarkshire): Anglicized form of Gaelic Cessán a side-form of Cessóg a personal name of unexplained etymology borne by a 6th-century bishop and martyr.

This surname is rare in Britain.

North German and Dutch: patronymic from Kes, a pet form of the personal name Christian.

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 Kessen family from?

You can see how Kessen families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Kessen family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Kessen families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 25 Kessen families living in Ohio. This was about 45% of all the recorded Kessen's in USA. Ohio had the highest population of Kessen families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Kessen surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Kessen ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Housekeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Kessen. 26% of Kessen men worked as a Laborer and 38% of Kessen women worked as a Housekeeper. Some less common occupations for Americans named Kessen were Truck Driver and Stenographer.

View Census Data for Kessen | 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
    26%
  • Machinist
    13%
  • Salesman
    13%
  • Truck Driver
    11%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housekeeper
    38%
  • Saleslady
    38%
  • Stenographer
    25%

What Kessen family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Kessen. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Kessen census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Kessen

Passenger Lists

There are 617 immigration records available for the last name Kessen. 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 Kessen immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 469 military records available for the last name Kessen. For the veterans among your Kessen ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Kessen military records

You've only scratched the surface of Kessen family history

Discover More

What is the average Kessen lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Kessen life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1980, and highest in 1993. The average life expectancy for Kessen in 1963 was 76, and 72 in 2004.

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

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