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 Philen family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Philen Family History

Philen Surname Meaning

Possibly a Latinized or an Americanized form of German (Rhineland) Fielen, a very rare surname of unexplained etymology.

Alternatively, the name could be an altered form of Irish Phelan.

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 Philen family from?

You can see how Philen families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Philen family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Philen families were found in USA in 1920. In 1911 there were 2 Philen families living in Nova Scotia. This was about 50% of all the recorded Philen's in Canada. Nova Scotia and 1 other province had the highest population of Philen families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Philen 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 Philen ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Teacher were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Philen. 44% of Philen men worked as a Farmer and 100% of Philen women worked as a Teacher.

View Census Data for Philen | 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
    44%
  • Laborer
    32%
  • Salesman
    13%
  • Watchman
    13%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Teacher
    100%

What Philen family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search Canadian census records for Philen

Passenger Lists

There are 453 immigration records available for the last name Philen. 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 Philen immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 352 military records available for the last name Philen. For the veterans among your Philen ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Philen military records

You've only scratched the surface of Philen family history

Discover More

What is the average Philen lifespan?

Between 1962 and 2004, in the United States, Philen life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1964, and highest in 1998. The average life expectancy for Philen in 1962 was 70, and 82 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Philen

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

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