Finding Loyalist Roots Hero
Finding Loyalist Roots
Finding Loyalist Ancestors in Your Family Tree
During the American Revolutionary War, not all those residing in the thirteen colonies fought against the British. In fact, many thousands remained loyal to the British crown. Learn if you have Loyalists in your family tree and how to uncover their experiences during the American Revolution by using the resources on this page!
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More Resources to Get Started
Finding Loyalists in Your Family Tree
American Ancestors Magazine
Fall 2025, by Melanie McComb
Liberty to Slaves - Black Loyalists in the American Revolution
American Ancestors Magazine
Fall 2025, by Danielle Rose
The Loyalist Experience During the American Revolution
American Ancestors Magazine
Fall 2025, by Alexander Cain
Database
MASSACHUSETTS: DIVIDED HEARTS, MASSACHUSETTS LOYALISTS, 1765-1790
Loyalists in the Colonies
Connecticut
- Low population of Loyalists
- Population clustered along the coast, in New Haven, and Fairfield County
- Mostly native born
- Hailed from farmer and merchant classes
Delaware
- Loyalist population found throughout colony, but not extensive
- Strong presence in New Castle County
- Largely isolated to wealthy merchants and commerce class
Georgia
- High concentration in Savannah; an epicenter of Loyalism
- Powerful class of Loyalists
- Wealthy landowners and merchants
- Immigrants from Great Britain
Maryland
- Low population of Loyalists
- Clustered along Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore, Annapolis, and Frederick County
- Likely hailed from commerce or merchant class
Massachusetts
- Highest population of Loyalists in New England
- Native born
- Wealthy; well-connected families
- Population centered around Boston, Portland (Maine), and parts of Worcester County
- Very powerful Loyalists
New Hampshire
- Low population of Loyalists
- Concentrated in Portsmouth
- Wealthy business or merchant class
New Jersey
- High Loyalist population
- Clustered on northern seacoast, East Jersey, and surrounding Perth Amboy
- Mostly native born
- Large percentage of farmers
New York
- Highest Loyalist population
- Very powerful Loyalists
- Concentrations in New York City, Staten Island, Long Island, Hudson River Valley, and Mohawk River Valley
- Native and foreign born
- Included farmers, wealthy merchants, and professionals
North Carolina
- Many mid-level farmers
- Some merchants
- Largely foreign born, many Scots Irish
- Located in interior counties or near Wilmington and New Bern
Pennsylvania
- Sizable population
- Concentrated at Philadelphia and surrounding counties
- More likely to be an immigrant
- Likely part of commerce or business class
Rhode Island
- Sizable population
- Concentrated at Philadelphia and surrounding counties
- More likely to be an immigrant
- Likely part of commerce or business class
South Carolina
- Probably second highest population of Loyalists after New York
- Charleston a Loyalist stronghold
- Also found at Camden and Ninety-Six
- More likely immigrants
Virginia
- Low population
- Mostly British or Scottish
- Clustered at Norfolk, Williamsburg, Petersburg, and Portsmouth
- Wealthy, likely merchant or business class