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Schenk Family History

Schenk Surname Meaning

German and Dutch: from Middle High German Middle Dutch schenke ‘cupbearer wine server’ (from Old High German scenko from scenken ‘to pour out or serve’) hence an occupational name for a cupbearer or server of wine. It also denotes an innkeeper. In another development similar to English Butler the word came to be used as an honorary title for a high court official and some cases of the surname may have arisen from this use.

The surname Schenk of German origin is also found in France (Alsace and Lorraine) Hungary Czechia and Slovenia (see also 3 below). Jewish (Ashkenazic): metonymic occupational name for an innkeeper from German Schenke ‘inn tavern’. At one time only Jews were allowed to sell alcohol in the Russian empire which is why S(c)henk and its related surnames are very common as Jewish names.

Germanized form of Czech and Slovenian Šenk (see Senk) a surname of German origin (compare 1 above).

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


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Where is the Schenk family from?

You can see how Schenk families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Schenk family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Schenk families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 16 Schenk families living in London. This was about 36% of all the recorded Schenk's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Schenk families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Schenk surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Schenk ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid Domestic Duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Schenk. 75% of Schenk women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Schenk | 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.

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    75%
  • Domestic Servant
    25%

What Schenk family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 34,000 census records available for the last name Schenk. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Schenk census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Australian census records for Schenk

Passenger Lists

There are 10,000 immigration records available for the last name Schenk. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Australia, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Schenk immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 17,000 military records available for the last name Schenk. For the veterans among your Schenk ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Schenk military records

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What is the average Schenk lifespan?

Between 1942 and 2004, in the United States, Schenk life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1944, and highest in 1955. The average life expectancy for Schenk in 1942 was 54, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Schenk

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Schenk 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.

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