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 Lessing family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Lessing Family History

Lessing Surname Meaning

German: variant of Lessig Germanized form of Sorbian Lěsnik (and possibly also of some other similar or like-sounding Slavic surname): topographic name for a forest dweller or an occupational name for a forester.

lěsnik derived from lěs ‘wood forest’. Compare Lesnik 1 and Lessig.

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 Lessing family from?

You can see how Lessing families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Lessing family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. The most Lessing families were found in USA in 1920. In 1911 there were 10 Lessing families living in Alberta. This was about 63% of all the recorded Lessing's in Canada. Alberta had the highest population of Lessing families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Lessing surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Lessing ancestors do for a living?

In 1921, Farmer was the top reported job for people in the Canada named Lessing. 100% of Lessing men worked as a Farmer.

View Census Data for Lessing | 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
    100%

What Lessing family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search Canadian census records for Lessing

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Lessing. 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 Lessing immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Lessing. For the veterans among your Lessing ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Lessing military records

You've only scratched the surface of Lessing family history

Discover More

What is the average Lessing lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Lessing life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1979, and highest in 1989. The average life expectancy for Lessing in 1963 was 77, and 78 in 2004.

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

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