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 Otterness family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Otterness Family History

Otterness Surname Meaning

Norwegian: habitational name from a farmstead in Sogn named with oter ‘otter’ + nes ‘headland point’.

This surname is very rare in Norway.

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 Otterness family from?

You can see how Otterness families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Otterness family name was found in the USA between 1880 and 1920. The most Otterness families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 22 Otterness families living in Minnesota. This was about 69% of all the recorded Otterness's in USA. Minnesota had the highest population of Otterness families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Otterness 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 Otterness ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and House Work were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Otterness. 49% of Otterness men worked as a Farmer and 50% of Otterness women worked as a House Work. Some less common occupations for Americans named Otterness were Truck Driver and Housewife.

View Census Data for Otterness | 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
    49%
  • Laborer
    11%
  • Salesman
    11%
  • Truck Driver
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • House Work
    50%
  • Housewife
    50%

What Otterness family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Otterness. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Otterness census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Otterness

Passenger Lists

There are 56 immigration records available for the last name Otterness. 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 Otterness immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 158 military records available for the last name Otterness. For the veterans among your Otterness ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Otterness military records

You've only scratched the surface of Otterness family history

Discover More

What is the average Otterness lifespan?

Between 1960 and 2003, in the United States, Otterness life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1996, and highest in 1992. The average life expectancy for Otterness in 1960 was 59, and 71 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Otterness

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

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