Did bearers of your surname travel on the Titanic? When researching your family history, or the background of your surname, it is always fascinating to discover connections to famous events. The Titanic and its passenger list are a source on continuing intrigue and here’s why.
The sinking of the Titanic is forever etched in the annuls of history. It is of course one of the most famous maritime disasters of all time. Here we discover a little more The Titanic and its passenger list. There was such a tragic and huge loss of life, and the disaster is as intriguing now as ever. The passenger list of the Titanic recorded 1517 passengers in total, and each one of those passengers had their own unique story to tell. Was your surname one of those that featured on board this doomed vessel?
Who Built It?
Built by the White Star Line, the ship had been hailed as ‘unsinkable’ and yet only 705 people survived. In total there were 472 lifeboat seats not used, further adding to the human tragedy.
When reading our coats of arms and surname history prints, we regularly find information about people with a particular surname who were on board the Titanic. For example, we learn of a Mr Humphrey Lloyd, age 32, an English Saloon Steward. He died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett. If your own surname is recorded in the passenger list of the Titanic, we make mention of it on our surname history print. Plus, the lifeboat number is often mentioned. You may be able to find bearers of your name that were rescued in a particular lifeboat. We often learn the occupation of the passenger, and also the class they were travelling in. Who knows? It could be the start of a journey of family discovery! It is always sad to think about how discrepancies between the classes had such a bearing on whether passengers survived or perished.
The Titanic lifeboats
An example: The Kelly Surname
A particular surname of note is that of ‘Kelly’. On the passenger list, we find a Mr William Kelly, aged 23, who was an Irish Assistant Electrician from Dublin. He did not survive the disaster. We also find two James Kellys, aged just 19 and 44 respectively. They were both third class passengers who lost their lives in the sinking. Also another James Kelly, aged 44, and English ‘Greaser’ from Southampton, who worked on board, but sadly lost his life.
When you discover the interesting details and the background behind the surname, it brings the enormity of the tragedy into sharp focus. Each of these passengers had a story to tell, and hopes for the future as they steamed their way to America.
The Titanic in Southampton
Useful links
Click here for a useful site with a list of names and images where available. Biographies of the passengers are also available on this comprehensive site. Titanic Universe, is also a site with helpful information, and if you are in Belfast, home of the Titanic, why not visit the Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic attraction.
Have you or members of your family uncovered links to the Titanic tragedy? Please share your stories with us. Find out the history of your own surname with our coat and history print here.If you would like to order a keepsake memento book of The Titanic, showing newspaper articles from the time, click here.
Hi Wendy i love the titanic and i was wondering if any of my ancestors or family was on the titanic. caloiaro,giannini,terranova,mesquita,zavala thank you
Hi Todd
There are no references to any of these names I’m afraid…
Hello! Please check our family’s last name which is Peeba
Hi Monika
We don’t have the name Peeba I’m afraid.
Hi, I have a photo of my grandmothers cousin who died on titanic only have firs name on back of photo Mary Ann? Her mother was fanny Sweeney from Ireland,could you be of any help to me as it is a mystery.
Hi Patricia – have looked at this and can’t find a reference I’m afraid.
Hello, I’m curious if there were any Spencer, Sandelin, or Santimaw surnames.
Hi Lindsay- we don’t have Sandelin or Santimaw on our database and there are no titanic passengers listed for Spencer.
Was there any Glessner, Bean, Beane, Barnes on the Titanic
Hi Joanne. No Glessner, Bean or Beane. There was a Frederick Charles Barnes who was an English baker from Southampton who worked aboard the Titanic and died in the sinking. There was also a John Barnes who was an English fireman from Woolston in Hampshire who worked aboard and died in the sinking. This is on our Coat of Arms and Surname History Print.
Hi I have always been interested in the history of the titanic. I am wondering if my Ancestors were aboard. Last name Shaffer, jolly, Whitson. Thank you very much.
Hi Brooke – there are no records of these surnames on the Titanic. Best wishes, Wendy.
Hello, could you please check if any last names of Hollowell, or Nellis or Smithwick who may have been on the Titanic?
Thank you
Hi Peggy, there were no bearers of these surnames on the Titanic. Best wishes, Wendy.
Is it true that James Walpole was one of the Crew on the titanic I have always been intrigued about the history. My last name is Walpole so just wanted to know if it was true.
Hi Lynsay – I can’t find a James Walpole on the Titanic but there was a James Walpole who landed in America in 1841.
Hi is there any people on the titanic had the surname Walcott if not is there anyone on the titanic who had the surname Roach
i was always intrigued with the titanic and i always wanted to know if any my ancestors / family members ever aboarded on that ship many thanks
Hello, no there were no passengers of those names on the Titanic.
Was there any people on the titanic with the surname kellaway
Hi Linda, not on the Titanic, but there were a lot of Kellaway’s on the Greyhound.
Checking for Estes surname listed on the Titanic.
Hi Joel. There isn’t any listed for Estes. Best wishes, Wendy.
Hi. Please could you check our family’s last names. We have a big family but there Cadwell, Little and Kidd. Thank you so much, I tried to search on Ancestry but I doubt it’s accuracy.
We have all of these names Grace. You can do free name searches on our site and our prints come with a authenticity guarantee.
Wendy, could you tell me if any of the following last names were on the Titanic. McGee (any variation of spelling), Wiltsie, Thompson, and Leasure (Lazure). Wiltsie may have been Wiltse, Wiltz, or De Wilz. Thank you.
None of these I’m afraid Susan.