NameCensus.

UK surname

Baffoe

A surname of West African origin, possibly derived from the Akan word 'abaffo' meaning 'ancestor' or 'progenitor'.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenwich, Southwark and Waltham Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Baffoe is 125 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

125

2016, ranked #26,827

Peak year

2016

125 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 125 in 2016, ranked #26,827.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Baffoe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Baffoe surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Baffoe 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
1861 historical 8 #32,887
1997 modern 46 #33,077
1998 modern 43 #33,557
1999 modern 45 #33,511
2000 modern 44 #33,602
2001 modern 45 #33,401
2002 modern 51 #33,193
2003 modern 47 #33,619
2004 modern 65 #32,177
2005 modern 70 #31,912
2006 modern 73 #31,954
2007 modern 77 #31,856
2008 modern 83 #31,483
2009 modern 86 #31,612
2010 modern 103 #29,780
2011 modern 99 #30,218
2012 modern 103 #29,733
2013 modern 116 #27,992
2014 modern 121 #27,503
2015 modern 123 #27,088
2016 modern 125 #26,827

Geography

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Where Baffoes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Greenwich, Southwark, Waltham Forest and Chorley. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Greenwich 004 Greenwich
2 Southwark 012 Southwark
3 Southwark 022 Southwark
4 Waltham Forest 005 Waltham Forest
5 Chorley 012 Chorley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Baffoe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Baffoe

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Baffoe, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Baffoe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Baffoe household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Baffoe is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Baffoe is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Baffoe falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Baffoe is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Baffoe

The surname BAFFOE is of Ghanaian origin, originating from the Akan people of West Africa. It is believed to have emerged in the 16th century during the era of the Ashanti Empire.

BAFFOE is derived from the Akan word "ba-fo," meaning "child born on Thursday." In Akan culture, days of the week held significant importance, and names were often given based on the day a child was born. This practice was common among the Ashanti and other Akan ethnic groups.

The earliest known reference to the BAFFOE surname can be found in historical records from the Ashanti Kingdom, which was a powerful and influential empire in the region during the 17th and 18th centuries. The name appears in various manuscripts and documents from that time, indicating its widespread use among the Akan people.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the BAFFOE surname was Nana Kwaku BAFFOE, a prominent chief and advisor to the Asantehene (king) during the late 17th century. His influence and leadership were documented in several historical accounts of the Ashanti Empire.

Another notable figure was Osei BAFFOE, a skilled diplomat and negotiator who played a crucial role in facilitating trade relations between the Ashanti Kingdom and European merchants in the 18th century. His diplomatic efforts helped establish economic ties and cultural exchange between the two regions.

In the 19th century, Kwabena BAFFOE was a respected scholar and linguist who contributed to the preservation of Akan language and culture. He authored several books and manuscripts that provided valuable insights into the traditions and customs of the Akan people.

During the colonial era, Akosua BAFFOE was a prominent figure in the resistance against British rule. She was a fierce advocate for Akan independence and played an instrumental role in mobilizing support for the anti-colonial movement.

In more recent history, Kofi BAFFOE was a renowned Ghanaian artist and sculptor whose works captured the essence of Akan culture and traditions. His sculptures and carvings were widely acclaimed and are displayed in museums and galleries around the world.

While the BAFFOE surname originated in Ghana, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its roots remain deeply embedded in the history and cultural heritage of the Akan people of West Africa.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Baffoe surname: questions and answers

How common is the Baffoe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 125 in 2016. That gives Baffoe a modern rank of #26,827.

What does the Baffoe surname mean?

A surname of West African origin, possibly derived from the Akan word 'abaffo' meaning 'ancestor' or 'progenitor'.

What does the Baffoe map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Baffoe 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.