History of your Surname
Get access to Arlen family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Arlen Family History

Arlen Surname Meaning

Alsatian (Bas-Rhin): probably a derivative of the ancient Germanic personal name Erl ‘free man noble warrior’.

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


Similar surnames: Allen, Arden, Carlin, Kallen, Arey, Achen, Maren, Harben, Alley

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 Arlen family from?

You can see how Arlen families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Arlen family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Arlen families were found in USA in 1920. In 1880 there were 7 Arlen families living in Massachusetts. This was about 23% of all the recorded Arlen's in USA. Massachusetts had the highest population of Arlen families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Arlen 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 Arlen ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Maid were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Arlen. 25% of Arlen men worked as a Laborer and 31% of Arlen women worked as a Maid. Some less common occupations for Americans named Arlen were Farm Laborer and Stenographer. .

View Census Data for Arlen | 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 Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    25%
  • Farmer
    13%
  • Salesman
    9%
  • Farm Laborer
    7%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Maid
    31%
  • Housewife
    24%
  • Secretary
    16%
  • Stenographer
    16%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Arlen family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search US census records for Arlen

Passenger Lists

There are 512 immigration records available for the last name Arlen. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Arlen immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 279 military records available for the last name Arlen. For the veterans among your Arlen ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Arlen military records

You've only scratched the surface of Arlen family history

Discover More

What is the average Arlen lifespan?

Between 1962 and 2004, in the United States, Arlen life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1984, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Arlen in 1962 was 81, and 82 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Arlen

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Arlen family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Arlen last name

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