Sign up to explore more
Create a free account to navigate family trees, view ancestors, and discover connections.
Sign up free
Sign up to explore more
Create a free account to navigate family trees, view ancestors, and discover connections.
Sign up freeSears Family Genealogy & History
Discover the Global Legacy of the Sears Surname
The surname Sears likely originated from the Middle English word "sere," meaning dry or withered, or from an occupational name for someone who seared or scorched. Through time, the name has evolved and become more common, particularly in English-speaking regions. The Sears family name may also have variations in spelling across different regions and historical records.
The Sears surname rose to prominence in the United States through Richard Warren Sears, a notable figure in the retail industry. Richard Sears co-founded Sears, Roebuck, and Co., which began as a mail-order catalog company in the late 19th century and transformed into a leading department store chain. The Sears family tree spread across the nation as the company expanded its operations from Chicago to various urban and suburban locations, influencing the cultural and economic landscape.
YourRoots data shows the Sears surname appearing in the United States by the 19th century, coinciding with the rise of Sears, Roebuck, and Co. The data aligns with historical records, highlighting the family's entrepreneurial impact during the industrial expansion of the 19th and early 20th centuries. This correlation underscores the significance of the Sears name in American business history.
For genealogy enthusiasts researching the Sears family tree, YourRoots data reveals a dynamic narrative intertwining with the broader historical context. The comprehensive records available through YourRoots provide valuable insights into the Sears genealogy, offering a rich tapestry of connections for family historians to explore.
Find the Sears Family Tree
Search more Sears trees & genealogy records
Records
-
SSSchley Hobson SearsBirth: 1899 – 1962 Harrison County, Indiana, USADeath: 1899 – 1962 Palmyra, Harrison, Indiana, USAFather: John Quincy SearsMother: Carrie Susan McKownReliability Score: CSSSchley Hobson SearsBirth: 1899 – 1962 Harrison County, Indiana, USADeath: 1899 – 1962 Palmyra, Harrison, Indiana, USAFather: John Quincy SearsMother: Carrie Susan McKownReliability Score: C
-
JSJohn Lafayette SearsBirth: 1904 – 1953 Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee, USADeath: 1904 – 1953 Harriman, Roane, Tennessee, USAFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: CJSJohn Lafayette SearsBirth: 1904 – 1953 Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee, USADeath: 1904 – 1953 Harriman, Roane, Tennessee, USAFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: C
-
DSDavid Lewis SearsBirth: 1850 – 1918 IndianaDeath: 1850 – 1918 Morgan, Harrison, Indiana, USAFather: Anderson SearsMother: Louisa Eliza SearsReliability Score: N/ADSDavid Lewis SearsBirth: 1850 – 1918 IndianaDeath: 1850 – 1918 Morgan, Harrison, Indiana, USAFather: Anderson SearsMother: Louisa Eliza SearsReliability Score: N/A
-
WSWilliam Guston SearsBirth: 1872 – 1935 TennesseeDeath: 1872 – 1935 Rossville, Walker, Georgia, USAFather:Mother:Reliability Score: BWSWilliam Guston SearsBirth: 1872 – 1935 TennesseeDeath: 1872 – 1935 Rossville, Walker, Georgia, USAFather:Mother:Reliability Score: B
-
GSGracie Ethel SearsBirth: 1896 – 1973 TennesseeDeath: 1896 – 1973 Columbus, Muscogee, Georgia, United States of AmericaFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: CGSGracie Ethel SearsBirth: 1896 – 1973 TennesseeDeath: 1896 – 1973 Columbus, Muscogee, Georgia, United States of AmericaFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: C
-
GSGeorge Jacob SearsBirth: 1789 – 1857 Rowan, North Carolina, United StatesDeath: 1789 – 1857 Palmyra, Harrison, Indiana, USAFather: John Sears (Zaher)Mother: Catherine Margaret ConradReliability Score: N/AGSGeorge Jacob SearsBirth: 1789 – 1857 Rowan, North Carolina, United StatesDeath: 1789 – 1857 Palmyra, Harrison, Indiana, USAFather: John Sears (Zaher)Mother: Catherine Margaret ConradReliability Score: N/A
-
DSDesiah 'Desire' SEARSBirth: 1725 – 1786 Yarmouth Port, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USADeath: 1725 – 1786 East Hampton, Connecticut, USAFather: Ebenezer SearsMother: Sarah HowesReliability Score: CDSDesiah 'Desire' SEARSBirth: 1725 – 1786 Yarmouth Port, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USADeath: 1725 – 1786 East Hampton, Connecticut, USAFather: Ebenezer SearsMother: Sarah HowesReliability Score: C
-
ESErnest Albert SearsBirth: 1900 – 1969 Cleveland, Bradley, Tennessee, United StatesDeath: 1900 – 1969 Catoosa, GeorgiaFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: CESErnest Albert SearsBirth: 1900 – 1969 Cleveland, Bradley, Tennessee, United StatesDeath: 1900 – 1969 Catoosa, GeorgiaFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: C
-
TSTillie Esther SearsBirth: 1926 – 2013 Morgan, Harrison, Indiana, USADeath: 1926 – 2013 Bradford, Harrison County, Indiana, USAFather: Schley Hobson SearsMother: Ester L SearsReliability Score: BTSTillie Esther SearsBirth: 1926 – 2013 Morgan, Harrison, Indiana, USADeath: 1926 – 2013 Bradford, Harrison County, Indiana, USAFather: Schley Hobson SearsMother: Ester L SearsReliability Score: B
-
ISIda Mary Lou SearsBirth: 1902 – 1973 Georgetown, Hamilton, Tennessee, USADeath: 1902 – 1973 Rossville, Walker, Georgia, USAFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: N/AISIda Mary Lou SearsBirth: 1902 – 1973 Georgetown, Hamilton, Tennessee, USADeath: 1902 – 1973 Rossville, Walker, Georgia, USAFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: N/A
-
ASAnita Ruth SearsBirth: 1923 – 1994 Rossville, GeorgiaDeath: 1923 – 1994 Fort Oglethorpe, Catoosa, Georgia, United States of AmericaFather: John Lafayette SearsMother: Claudia ProctorReliability Score: N/AASAnita Ruth SearsBirth: 1923 – 1994 Rossville, GeorgiaDeath: 1923 – 1994 Fort Oglethorpe, Catoosa, Georgia, United States of AmericaFather: John Lafayette SearsMother: Claudia ProctorReliability Score: N/A
-
RSRebecca Ann SearsBirth: 1945 – 2001 Chattanooga, TennesseeDeath: 1945 – 2001 Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States of AmericaFather: Ernest Albert SearsMother: Melba Lorraine WheelerReliability Score: BRSRebecca Ann SearsBirth: 1945 – 2001 Chattanooga, TennesseeDeath: 1945 – 2001 Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States of AmericaFather: Ernest Albert SearsMother: Melba Lorraine WheelerReliability Score: B
-
ASAnderson SearsBirth: 1832 – 1902 Floyd County, Indiana, USADeath: 1832 – 1902 Palmyra, Harrison, Indiana, USAFather: George Jacob SearsMother: Catherine Ann "Katie" HonReliability Score: N/AASAnderson SearsBirth: 1832 – 1902 Floyd County, Indiana, USADeath: 1832 – 1902 Palmyra, Harrison, Indiana, USAFather: George Jacob SearsMother: Catherine Ann "Katie" HonReliability Score: N/A
-
ASAubrey Carl SearsBirth: 1920 – 2007 San Diego, CaliforniaDeath: 1920 – 2007 La Mesa, San Diego, California, United States of AmericaFather: Aubrey Carl SearsMother: Marion Charlotte HallReliability Score: BASAubrey Carl SearsBirth: 1920 – 2007 San Diego, CaliforniaDeath: 1920 – 2007 La Mesa, San Diego, California, United States of AmericaFather: Aubrey Carl SearsMother: Marion Charlotte HallReliability Score: B
-
JSJohn Quincy SearsBirth: 1876 – 1930 Indiana, United StatesDeath: 1876 – 1930 Palmyra, Harrison, Indiana, United StatesFather: David Lewis SearsMother: Adaline DurnilReliability Score: N/AJSJohn Quincy SearsBirth: 1876 – 1930 Indiana, United StatesDeath: 1876 – 1930 Palmyra, Harrison, Indiana, United StatesFather: David Lewis SearsMother: Adaline DurnilReliability Score: N/A
-
ASAnna Jane "Annie" SearsBirth: 1823 – 1896 Floyd, Indiana, USADeath: 1823 – 1896 , Floyd, Indiana, USAFather: Henry M SearsMother: Anna "Annie" PerrinReliability Score: N/AASAnna Jane "Annie" SearsBirth: 1823 – 1896 Floyd, Indiana, USADeath: 1823 – 1896 , Floyd, Indiana, USAFather: Henry M SearsMother: Anna "Annie" PerrinReliability Score: N/A
-
WSWillie Lucille SearsBirth: 1909 – 1995 Chattanooga, Tennessee, USADeath: 1909 – 1995 Chattanooga, Tennessee, USAFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: N/AWSWillie Lucille SearsBirth: 1909 – 1995 Chattanooga, Tennessee, USADeath: 1909 – 1995 Chattanooga, Tennessee, USAFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: N/A
-
MsMargaret Louise searsBirth: 1912 – 1986 TennesseeDeath: 1912 – 1986 Georgia, United States of AmericaFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: N/AMsMargaret Louise searsBirth: 1912 – 1986 TennesseeDeath: 1912 – 1986 Georgia, United States of AmericaFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: N/A
-
BsBeulah searsBirth: 1906 – 1910 TennesseeDeath: 1906 – 1910 Chattanooga, HamiltonFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: N/ABsBeulah searsBirth: 1906 – 1910 TennesseeDeath: 1906 – 1910 Chattanooga, HamiltonFather: William Guston SearsMother: Rebecca Adeline MillardReliability Score: N/A
-
ESEster L SearsBirth: 1908 – 1975 KentuckyDeath: 1908 – 1975 Corydon, Harrison, Indiana, USAFather: William EndresMother: Wilhelmine (Minnie) KoshewaReliability Score: BESEster L SearsBirth: 1908 – 1975 KentuckyDeath: 1908 – 1975 Corydon, Harrison, Indiana, USAFather: William EndresMother: Wilhelmine (Minnie) KoshewaReliability Score: B
Search more trees & records for
Sears for free
SIGNUP
Tracing Your Sears Family Lineage
Currently, YourRoots Map does not yet have enough verified historical and migration data to provide a detailed analysis of the Sears surname. However, we’re continuously expanding our global database using family trees, historical records, and DNA-based connections contributed by our growing community of researchers.
As more data becomes available, this page will be updated to include an in-depth look at the [SURNAME] family’s regional origins, early historical records, and migration patterns across centuries.
Famous People with Sears (and Their Family Tree)
Richard Warren Sears
Richard Warren Sears was a pioneering American businessman, best known for co-founding Sears, Roebuck and Company. Born on December 7, 1863, Sears initially worked as a telegraph operator before seizing a business opportunity with unsold watches. This venture led him to establish the R. W. Sears Watch Company, eventually moving the business to Chicago, where he partnered with Alvah Curtis Roebuck. The company grew rapidly, expanding its catalog to include a wide array of products, catering to rural customers through mail-order services. By 1908, Sears retired, leaving a lasting legacy in retail innovation.
Richard Sears was born in Stewartville, Minnesota, to James Warren Sears, a blacksmith and wagon-maker from New York, and Eliza Burton, from Ohio. Both of his parents were of English descent. The family later settled in Spring Valley, Minnesota, where his father served as a city councilman and operated a wagon shop. Sears's early life was rooted in a modest, industrious family background, which influenced his understanding of rural American needs.
Heather Sears
Heather Christine Sears was a celebrated British stage and screen actress, renowned for her compelling performances and versatility. Her career highlights include playing Alison in John Osborne's "Look Back in Anger" and the title role in David Miller's "The Story of Esther Costello," which earned her a British Film Academy award. Notably, she appeared alongside Laurence Harvey in "Room at the Top" and starred as Christine in Hammer's "The Phantom of the Opera." Sears balanced her acting career with raising her three sons, leaving a lasting legacy in British theatre and film.
Heather Sears was born to William Gordon Sears, a distinguished London doctor, and Eileen Gould. She followed her sister Ann Sears to the Central School of Speech and Drama, laying the foundation for her illustrious career.
Landon Sears
Landon Sears is a multifaceted American artist known for his contributions to the music industry as a singer, rapper, songwriter, musician, and producer. Raised in Danville, Kentucky, and now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Sears rose to fame with his work on Bren Joy's hit "Sweet," earning over 20 million streams. He is recognized for his songwriting and composing talents, contributing to South Korean acts like NCT 127 and Kang Daniel. Sears's work has achieved significant success, with multiple platinum records and chart-topping singles. His collaborations with American artists such as Young Buck and Jason Derulo further highlight his influence in the hip-hop and R&B genres, characterized by his self-described "harmony rap" style.
Sears Surname Meaning, Origin, and History
The surname "Sears" is associated with the American retail chain Sears, Roebuck and Co., which was founded in the late 19th century by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck. Originally a mail-order catalog company, it expanded into retail locations by the 1920s and became one of the largest retailers in the United States throughout the 20th century. The company faced significant financial challenges in the 21st century, leading to bankruptcy filings and a reduction in its number of stores.
VIEW MOREWhere to Find Genealogy Records for Sears
We’ve analyzed YourRoots tree and records data to uncover where genealogists are finding key sources such as census, birth certificates, marriage records, and obituaries for the Sears family. Explore our most popular genealogy record sources for the Sears surname to learn more.
VIEW MOREAbout YourRoots
Explore your family tree geographically
Import your GEDCOM file to transform your family tree into an interactive global map. See your roots laid out visually and understand your true geographic heritage.
Powerful tools like "Trace Back To Me" instantly map your family's migration paths from a chosen ancestor all the way back to you.
Discover ancestors beyond "end-of-line" automatically
Import your family tree and let AI expand it for you. AI Ancestor Finder scans "end-of-line" ancestors to uncover their parents across hundreds of family lines at once. AI Deep Research analyzes selected ancestors and family clusters, suggesting relevant records and next steps.
Turn on Auto Research Mode to get new discoveries daily or weekly, so your tree keeps growing even while you're away.
Find more DNA matches across all DNA tests
Combine your DNA data with your family tree to unlock the full power of YourRoots DNA Match. Connect with relatives across major testing services — Ancestry, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and more.
View your matches' maps and trees to identify shared ancestors, and soon you'll be able to add them directly to your own tree and map.
Ancestry DNA analysis that goes deeper than others
Unlock exclusive reports that reveal your deeper origins.
- Deep Ancestry Report — Analyze 130+ ethnicities, sub-regions, and 1,800+ communities in one detailed view.
- Global & Native American Reports — Developed with Stanford researchers to uncover hidden ancestries across all 22 chromosomes.
- Ancient DNA Series — Compare your DNA with 1,000+ ancient genomes from Viking, Celtic, and early American civilizations.
Sign up to explore more
Create a free account to navigate family trees, view ancestors, and discover connections.
Sign up freeAlready have an account? Log in
Coming Soon
We're actively working on many new features for YourRoots. Features marked v2 are ones we're planning to launch soon.
Have a particular feature request? Let us know below!