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 Poelker family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Poelker Family History

Poelker Surname Meaning

German (Pölker): habitational name for someone from Polke or Polkau in Silesia.

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 Poelker family from?

You can see how Poelker families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Poelker family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Poelker families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 3 Poelker families living in Illinois. This was about 75% of all the recorded Poelker's in USA. Illinois had the highest population of Poelker families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Poelker 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 Poelker ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Digging Coal and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Poelker. 34% of Poelker men worked as a Digging Coal and 100% of Poelker women worked as a Stenographer.

View Census Data for Poelker | 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

  • Digging Coal
    34%
  • Laborer
    23%
  • New Worker
    23%
  • Clerk
    23%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    100%

What Poelker family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 515 census records available for the last name Poelker. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Poelker census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Poelker

Passenger Lists

There are 82 immigration records available for the last name Poelker. 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 Poelker immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 189 military records available for the last name Poelker. For the veterans among your Poelker ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Poelker military records

You've only scratched the surface of Poelker family history

Discover More

What is the average Poelker lifespan?

Between 1948 and 2004, in the United States, Poelker life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1961, and highest in 1970. The average life expectancy for Poelker in 1948 was 51, and 65 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Poelker

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

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