History of your Surname
Get access to Relihan family records.Start a free trial

Relihan Family History

Relihan Name Meaning

Irish (Cork): shortened Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Roileacháin ‘descendant of Roileachán’. Roileachán is a diminutive of the name Roghallach (see Riley ).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: Redican, Renehan, Teahan, Regan, Whelihan, Deehan, Milian, Breihan

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Relihan family from?

You can see how Relihan families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Relihan family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1871 and 1920. The most Relihan families were found in USA in 1920. In 1911 there were 3 Relihan families living in Ontario. This was 100% of all the recorded Relihan's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Relihan families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Relihan surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Relihan ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Teacher were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Relihan. 32% of Relihan men worked as a Laborer and 40% of Relihan women worked as a Teacher. Some less common occupations for Americans named Relihan were Lawyer and Stenographer. .

View Census Data for Relihan | 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

  • Laborer
    32%
  • Salesman
    16%
  • Clerk
    11%
  • Lawyer
    11%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Teacher
    40%
  • School Teacher
    27%
  • Nurse
    20%
  • Stenographer
    14%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Relihan family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search Canadian census records for Relihan

Passenger Lists

There are 492 immigration records available for the last name Relihan. 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 Relihan immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 347 military records available for the last name Relihan. For the veterans among your Relihan ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Relihan military records

You've only scratched the surface of Relihan family history

Discover More

What is the average Relihan lifespan?

Between 1943 and 2004, in the United States, Relihan life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1950, and highest in 1983. The average life expectancy for Relihan in 1943 was 36, and 75 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Relihan

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Relihan family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Relihan last name

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