NameCensus.

UK surname

Affleck

Derived from a place name meaning "oak tree ford" in Old English, likely referring to a person's residence.

In the 1881 census there were 697 people recorded with the Affleck surname, ranking it #5,202 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 857, ranked #6,537, down from #5,202 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hawick and Wilton, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Crosshouse, Gatehead and Kilmaurs Rural, South Leith and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Affleck is 957 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.0%.

1881 census count

697

Ranked #5,202

Modern count

857

2016, ranked #6,537

Peak year

1901

957 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Affleck had 697 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,202 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 857 in 2016, ranked #6,537.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 957 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Affleck surname distribution map

The map shows where the Affleck surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Affleck surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Affleck over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 584 #4,378
1861 historical 616 #4,325
1881 historical 697 #5,202
1891 historical 824 #4,924
1901 historical 957 #4,908
1911 historical 523 #7,566
1997 modern 890 #6,012
1998 modern 923 #6,033
1999 modern 937 #6,014
2000 modern 907 #6,142
2001 modern 890 #6,129
2002 modern 922 #6,085
2003 modern 883 #6,173
2004 modern 885 #6,178
2005 modern 867 #6,206
2006 modern 850 #6,321
2007 modern 896 #6,108
2008 modern 898 #6,140
2009 modern 877 #6,400
2010 modern 879 #6,519
2011 modern 857 #6,574
2012 modern 820 #6,704
2013 modern 851 #6,624
2014 modern 854 #6,633
2015 modern 852 #6,587
2016 modern 857 #6,537

Geography

Back to top

Where Afflecks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hawick and Wilton, London parishes, Gateshead, Edinburgh and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Crosshouse, Gatehead and Kilmaurs Rural, South Leith, County Durham, Irvine Perceton and Lawthorn and Manchester. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Hawick and Wilton Roxburgh
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Crosshouse, Gatehead and Kilmaurs Rural East Ayrshire
2 South Leith City of Edinburgh
3 County Durham 004 County Durham
4 Irvine Perceton and Lawthorn North Ayrshire
5 Manchester 001 Manchester

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Affleck

These lists show first names that appear often with the Affleck surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Affleck

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Affleck, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Affleck surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Affleck household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Affleck is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Affleck is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Affleck falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Affleck is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Affleck, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Affleck

The surname Affleck has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic words "ath" meaning "ford" and "leac" meaning "flat stone," suggesting a possible connection to a location where people or vehicles crossed a river or stream over flat stones.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical document that recorded the names of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "Aylmer de Auelek," indicating its early spelling variations.

In the 15th century, the name was often recorded as "Auelek" or "Auffleck" in various Scottish charters and records. This spelling likely evolved into the modern form of "Affleck" over time.

The Affleck surname has been prominent in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the counties of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. The name is associated with several notable individuals throughout history, including:

1. Sir Robert Affleck (c. 1530-1588), a Scottish landowner and politician who served as a Lord of the Privy Council during the reign of King James VI. 2. Gilbert Affleck (1570-1637), a Scottish merchant and Provost of Aberdeen in the early 17th century. 3. Edmund Affleck (1617-1675), a Scottish mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics. 4. Sir Robert Affleck (1748-1828), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. 5. Thomas Affleck (1856-1923), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the Australian Senate from 1901 to 1923.

The surname Affleck has also been associated with various place names in Scotland, such as Affleck Castle in Ayrshire and the village of Affleck in Angus. These place names may have influenced the surname's development or been influenced by it.

While the Affleck surname has spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration, its roots can be traced back to its Scottish origins, reflecting a rich history and cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Affleck families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Affleck surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Midlothian leads with 116 Afflecks recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.85x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 116 12.85x
Lanarkshire 112 5.14x
Lancashire 67 0.84x
Kirkcudbrightshire 62 63.54x
Yorkshire 40 0.60x
Roxburghshire 33 27.03x
Northumberland 28 2.79x
Ayrshire 25 4.96x
Middlesex 21 0.31x
Dumfriesshire 20 13.43x
Surrey 19 0.58x
Kent 15 0.65x
Berwickshire 11 13.48x
Durham 10 0.50x
Selkirkshire 10 16.40x
Buckinghamshire 8 1.96x
East Lothian 8 8.96x
Fife 7 1.75x
Peeblesshire 7 22.08x
Angus 6 0.96x
Clackmannanshire 6 10.78x
Warwickshire 6 0.35x
Argyllshire 5 2.66x
Wiltshire 5 0.84x
Essex 4 0.30x
Perthshire 4 1.32x
Staffordshire 4 0.18x
Wigtownshire 4 4.47x
Renfrewshire 3 0.57x
Stirlingshire 3 1.21x
Suffolk 3 0.37x
Sussex 3 0.26x
West Lothian 3 2.96x
Berkshire 2 0.40x
Herefordshire 2 0.72x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.16x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.55x
Flintshire 1 0.55x
Hampshire 1 0.07x
Kincardineshire 1 1.22x
Kinross-shire 1 5.87x
Norfolk 1 0.10x
Northamptonshire 1 0.16x
Royal Navy 1 1.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 41 Afflecks recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.29x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 41 11.29x
Barony 28 5.08x
Biggar 23 466.53x
Lasswade 22 106.54x
Lesmahagow 20 86.77x
Chorlton On Medlock 17 13.38x
Byker 14 28.24x
Battersea 12 4.84x
Govan 12 2.23x
South Leith 12 11.81x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 11 51.50x
Ayton 10 211.42x
Dundonald 10 53.76x
Hindley 10 29.33x
Holy Trinity Less London 10 584.80x
Roxburgh 10 427.35x
Dumfries 9 61.27x
Glasgow 9 2.33x
Morebattle 9 386.27x
Newabbey 9 430.62x
Balmaghie 8 373.83x
Deptford St Paul 8 4.51x
Kelton 8 99.75x
Knottingley 8 68.14x
Liberton 8 57.39x
Troqueer 8 62.50x
Urr 8 63.04x
Whitby 8 35.54x
Wycombe 8 26.33x
Covington 7 686.27x
Skelton In Guisbrough 7 38.74x
Alloa 6 22.22x
Dunbar 6 47.92x
Hawick 6 21.95x
Kingsbury 6 164.84x
Melrose 6 39.09x
Newbattle 6 77.72x
Auckinleck 5 32.01x
Camberwell 5 1.16x
Carluke 5 25.27x
Dover St Mary Virgin 5 22.46x
Innerleithen 5 59.45x
Leeds 5 1.33x
Lochmaben 5 76.57x
Manchester 5 1.39x
Swindon 5 10.81x
Toxteth Park 5 1.85x
Walton On Hill 5 11.54x
Westgate 5 8.05x
Westoe 5 4.40x
Auchtermuchty 4 74.63x
Crossmichael 4 129.87x
Everton 4 1.57x
Gateshead 4 2.66x
Kelso 4 32.87x
Kilmallie 4 41.45x
Kirkpatrick Durham 4 131.58x
Preston 4 1.87x
Rerrick 4 95.47x
Selkirk 4 23.28x
Temple 4 111.42x
Tynemouth 4 7.45x
Walsall Foreign 4 3.40x
West Ham 4 1.36x
Ardwick 3 4.16x
Blackburn 3 1.41x
Brighton 3 1.31x
Colmonell 3 59.17x
Dalham 3 309.28x
Dalry 3 131.58x
Eastwood 3 9.33x
Elie 3 191.08x
Elswick 3 3.75x
Kensington London 3 0.80x
Kirkliston 3 50.68x
Liverpool 3 0.62x
Manningham 3 3.65x
Penicuik 3 24.45x
Stonehouse 3 40.60x
Yetholm 3 124.48x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Affleck surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 9
Elizabeth 8
Jessie 6
Jane 5
Agnes 4
Ann 4
Ellen 4
Margaret 4
Maria 4
Annie 3
Catherine 3
Edith 3
Janet 3
Sarah 3
Anne 2
Caroline 2
Clara 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Lenora 2
Louisa 2
Marion 2
Maud 2
Alexandrina 1
Alice 1
Catherin 1
Charlotte 1
Dorothy 1
Elizb. 1
Esther 1
Eveliney 1
Frances 1
Garibaldi 1
H. 1
Isabella 1
Jacobina 1
Jennie 1
Laura 1
Lillie 1
Louise 1
Lydia 1
Maggie 1
Maragert 1
Margret 1
Marian 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1
Nancy 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Affleck surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 26
James 19
Robert 10
John 9
Thomas 8
Andrew 5
George 5
Alexander 4
Henry 4
Arthur 3
Charles 3
Joseph 3
Wm. 3
Edward 2
Frederick 2
Jno. 2
Ralph 2
Samuel 2
Aden 1
Alex 1
Alexr.D. 1
Baldwin 1
Benjamin 1
Bertrand 1
Chas.Robt. 1
Clifford 1
David 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Stanley 1
Watson 1
Young 1

FAQ

Affleck surname: questions and answers

How common was the Affleck surname in 1881?

In 1881, 697 people were recorded with the Affleck surname. That placed it at #5,202 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Affleck surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 857 in 2016. That gives Affleck a modern rank of #6,537.

What does the Affleck surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "oak tree ford" in Old English, likely referring to a person's residence.

What does the Affleck map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Affleck bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.