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 Thelan family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Thelan Family History

Thelan Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Thelen, Phelan, Whelan, Thelin, Helin, Belan, Shean, Selan, Keelan

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Thelan family from?

You can see how Thelan families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Thelan family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Thelan families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 10 Thelan families living in Quebec. This was about 50% of all the recorded Thelan's in Canada. Quebec had the highest population of Thelan families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Thelan 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 Thelan ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Thelan. 38% of Thelan men worked as a Farmer and 27% of Thelan women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Thelan were Manager and New Worker.

View Census Data for Thelan | 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
    38%
  • Salesman
    13%
  • Laborer
    13%
  • Manager
    11%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    27%
  • Housework
    22%
  • Waitress
    11%
  • New Worker
    11%

What Thelan family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Thelan. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Thelan census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Thelan

Passenger Lists

There are 344 immigration records available for the last name Thelan. 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 Thelan immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 211 military records available for the last name Thelan. For the veterans among your Thelan ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Thelan military records

You've only scratched the surface of Thelan family history

Discover More

What is the average Thelan lifespan?

Between 1968 and 2003, in the United States, Thelan life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1973, and highest in 1999. The average life expectancy for Thelan in 1968 was 64, and 82 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Thelan

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

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