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 Kness family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Kness Family History

Kness Surname Meaning

Germanized or Americanized form of Slovenian and Croatian Knez.

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 Kness family from?

You can see how Kness families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Kness family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Kness families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there was 1 Kness family living in Ontario. This was 100% of all the recorded Kness's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Kness families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Kness 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 Kness ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Maid were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Kness. 20% of Kness men worked as a Laborer and 34% of Kness women worked as a Maid. Some less common occupations for Americans named Kness were Mechanic and Housekeeping.

View Census Data for Kness | 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
    20%
  • Farmer
    17%
  • Truck Driver
    8%
  • Mechanic
    7%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Maid
    34%
  • Housework
    25%
  • Clerk
    25%
  • Housekeeping
    17%

What Kness family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 4,000 census records available for the last name Kness. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Kness census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Kness

Passenger Lists

There are 203 immigration records available for the last name Kness. 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 Kness immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 867 military records available for the last name Kness. For the veterans among your Kness ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Kness military records

You've only scratched the surface of Kness family history

Discover More

What is the average Kness lifespan?

Between 1951 and 2004, in the United States, Kness life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2001, and highest in 1978. The average life expectancy for Kness in 1951 was 58, and 72 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Kness

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

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