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 Raffles family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Raffles Family History

Raffles Surname Meaning

from Raffles in Mouswald (Dumfriess) comprising Old Scandinavian *ref-hol ‘fox-hole’ in a Scots plural form. The -s in the surname was probably sometimes lost in the modern period but some of the Scottish examples of Raphell Raffell etc. may alternatively belong with Raffle.

variant of Raffle with post-medieval excrescent -s. Either of following early bearers may alternatively belong with (1).

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


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 Raffles family from?

You can see how Raffles families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Raffles family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Scotland between 1851 and 1920. The most Raffles families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 9 Raffles families living in Durham. This was about 19% of all the recorded Raffles's in United Kingdom. Durham and 1 other county had the highest population of Raffles families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Raffles 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 Raffles ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid Domestic Duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Raffles. 47% of Raffles women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Raffles | 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.

England shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    47%
  • Private Means
    27%
  • Childrens Nursehelp
    14%
  • Housekeeper
    14%

What Raffles family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search Canadian census records for Raffles

Passenger Lists

There are 190 immigration records available for the last name Raffles. 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 Raffles immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 270 military records available for the last name Raffles. For the veterans among your Raffles ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Raffles military records

You've only scratched the surface of Raffles family history

Discover More

What is the average Raffles lifespan?

Between 1967 and 2003, in the United States, Raffles life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1990, and highest in 1971. The average life expectancy for Raffles in 1967 was 68, and 67 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Raffles

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

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