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Achter Family History

Achter Name Meaning

Dutch: from achter ‘behind’, ‘to the rear of’, a topographic name for someone living at the back of a main settlement. Dutch: perhaps a shortened form of Achterberg. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): of uncertain origin. Various explanations have been proposed; it may be an agent noun from the verb achten ‘to reckon or estimate’, hence an occupational name for an appraiser or record keeper, or alternatively an altered form of Auchter ‘watcher’ (i.e. someone who watched over a flock or herd).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press


Similar surnames: Wachter, Pachter, Lichter, Auchter, Acker, Bacher, Ascher, Cater

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Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

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Where is the Achter family from?

You can see how Achter families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Achter family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1871 and 1920. The most Achter families were found in USA in 1920. In 1911 there was 1 Achter family living in Saskatchewan. This was 100% of all the recorded Achter's in Canada. Saskatchewan had the highest population of Achter families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Achter surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Achter ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Achter. 21% of Achter men worked as a Farmer and 34% of Achter women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Achter were Machinist and Saleswoman. .

View Census Data for Achter | 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
    21%
  • Laborer
    21%
  • Manager
    15%
  • Machinist
    15%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    34%
  • Clerk
    23%
  • Housekeeper
    23%
  • Saleswoman
    23%
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What Achter family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search Canadian census records for Achter

Passenger Lists

There are 261 immigration records available for the last name Achter. 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 Achter immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Achter. For the veterans among your Achter ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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What is the average Achter lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Achter life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2003, and highest in 2001. The average life expectancy for Achter in 1963 was 82, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Achter

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