NameCensus.

UK surname

Bufton

An English locational surname derived from a place name likely meaning "town on a ridge or hill".

In the 1881 census there were 653 people recorded with the Bufton surname, ranking it #5,479 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,391, ranked #4,359, up from #5,479 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Nantmel, Church, Llandewy-Ystradenny (Mystyrrhoes-llowdy) and Llanbister. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Powys and Herefordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bufton is 1,438 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 113.0%.

1881 census count

653

Ranked #5,479

Modern count

1,391

2016, ranked #4,359

Peak year

2010

1,438 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bufton had 653 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,479 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,391 in 2016, ranked #4,359.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 946 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Bufton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bufton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bufton 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 376 #6,343
1861 historical 371 #6,875
1881 historical 653 #5,479
1891 historical 653 #5,944
1901 historical 785 #5,729
1911 historical 946 #4,756
1997 modern 1,270 #4,487
1998 modern 1,370 #4,348
1999 modern 1,374 #4,373
2000 modern 1,392 #4,304
2001 modern 1,387 #4,250
2002 modern 1,400 #4,293
2003 modern 1,368 #4,297
2004 modern 1,375 #4,288
2005 modern 1,355 #4,301
2006 modern 1,378 #4,248
2007 modern 1,375 #4,294
2008 modern 1,380 #4,307
2009 modern 1,430 #4,267
2010 modern 1,438 #4,320
2011 modern 1,430 #4,297
2012 modern 1,413 #4,274
2013 modern 1,428 #4,305
2014 modern 1,438 #4,306
2015 modern 1,412 #4,332
2016 modern 1,391 #4,359

Geography

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Where Buftons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Nantmel, Church, Llandewy-Ystradenny (Mystyrrhoes-llowdy), Llanbister, Bedwelty and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Powys and Herefordshire. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Nantmel, Church, Llandewy-Ystradenny (Mystyrrhoes-llowdy) Radnorshire
3 Llanbister Radnorshire
4 Bedwelty Monmouthshire
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Powys 011 Powys
2 Powys 012 Powys
3 Herefordshire 004 Herefordshire, County of
4 Herefordshire 006 Herefordshire, County of
5 Herefordshire 002 Herefordshire, County of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bufton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bufton

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Bufton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Bufton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Bufton 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

Bufton 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

Bufton falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bufton 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 Bufton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bufton

The surname Bufton has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period around the 13th century. It is believed to derive from a place name, with the most likely source being the village of Buffton or Bufton in Wiltshire. The name itself is a combination of the Old English words "buf" meaning a bush or thicket, and "tun" meaning a farm or settlement.

Variations of the spelling can be found in historical records, such as Bufftone and Buffetone, indicating the name's evolution over time. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Wiltshire from 1273, where a John de Buffetone is mentioned as a landowner in the area.

The Bufton surname has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. In the 16th century, a William Bufton was a prominent merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. Records from 1586 show him trading in valuable goods such as silks and spices.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, a Captain Thomas Bufton fought for the Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell. He participated in several key battles, including the Battle of Naseby in 1645, which proved a decisive victory for the Parliamentarians.

In the literary world, the poet and writer Mary Bufton (1628-1698) gained recognition for her works, including a collection of poems titled "The Muse's Garden" published in 1679. Her poetry often explored themes of nature and spirituality.

Another notable figure was Sir John Bufton (1712-1786), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Salisbury from 1754 to 1786. He was a influential figure in local politics and was known for his advocacy of agricultural reform.

Lastly, the British explorer and naturalist Robert Bufton (1802-1876) made significant contributions to the study of flora and fauna in various parts of the world. His expedition to the Galapagos Islands in the 1830s helped further our understanding of the unique ecosystem and its endemic species.

While the Bufton surname may not be among the most common in modern times, its historical roots and the accomplishments of those who bore the name have left a lasting legacy across various fields and endeavors.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bufton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bufton 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. Radnorshire leads with 190 Buftons recorded in 1881 and an index of 369.72x.

County Total Index
Radnorshire 190 369.72x
Herefordshire 134 51.30x
Shropshire 83 15.08x
Brecknockshire 61 47.89x
Hampshire 24 1.84x
Lancashire 21 0.28x
Glamorgan 20 1.80x
Staffordshire 17 0.79x
Warwickshire 17 1.06x
Yorkshire 16 0.25x
Worcestershire 15 1.80x
Berkshire 9 1.88x
Middlesex 8 0.13x
Monmouthshire 8 1.74x
Montgomeryshire 8 5.48x
Denbighshire 6 2.49x
Gloucestershire 5 0.40x
Sussex 4 0.37x
Devon 2 0.15x
Cardiganshire 1 0.64x
Cornwall 1 0.14x
Flintshire 1 0.58x
Leicestershire 1 0.14x
Surrey 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nantmel in Radnorshire leads with 33 Buftons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1226.77x.

Place Total Index
Nantmel 33 1226.77x
Portsea 24 9.38x
Birmingham 17 3.18x
Llanbister 17 955.06x
Cefnllys 16 1081.08x
Llanfihangel Rhydithon 16 2000.00x
Merthyr Tydfil 15 14.07x
Ocle Pitchard 15 2419.35x
Glascomb 14 1609.20x
Llanbadarn Fawr 14 1052.63x
Llandewy Ystradenny 13 1000.00x
Weston Beggard 12 2033.90x
Llandefalley 11 866.14x
Diddlebury 10 552.49x
Lower Ystradgynlais 10 127.23x
Richards Castle 10 598.80x
Titley 10 1162.79x
Devynnock 9 296.05x
Hopton Castle 9 3461.54x
Hurley 9 361.45x
Ludlow St Lawrence 9 82.19x
Old Radnor Evenjobb 9 1304.35x
Bromfield 8 650.41x
Knighton 8 192.77x
Llysdinam 8 1860.47x
Ratlinghope 8 1355.93x
Sheffield 8 3.98x
Wednesbury 8 14.89x
Willey 8 2962.96x
Condover 7 180.88x
Crickadarn 7 972.22x
Llanbedr Paincastle 7 1296.30x
Yarkhill 7 721.65x
Alberbury Bauseley 6 810.81x
Bishops Frome 6 377.36x
Blackley 6 45.28x
Bucknell 6 384.62x
Clun Eddycliff 6 576.92x
Everton 6 2.49x
Hereford St Owen 6 69.52x
Kimbolton 6 441.18x
Llanelly 6 39.37x
Tedstone Wafer 6 3529.41x
Tenbury 6 131.87x
Wrexham Abbot 6 99.17x
Garway 5 431.03x
Kinsham 5 2500.00x
Leominster 5 46.25x
Norbury 5 609.76x
Wigmore 5 549.45x
Aberdare 4 5.25x
Discoed 4 2000.00x
Disserth Trecoed 4 357.14x
Ford 4 493.83x
Gladestry 4 540.54x
Kimberworth 4 11.42x
Lower Llanvrechva 4 88.50x
Peterchurch 4 287.77x
Rodd Nash Little 4 1052.63x
Waldron 4 136.52x
Walton On Hill 4 9.77x
Willesden 4 6.66x
Abinghall 3 517.24x
Astley 3 172.41x
Clun 3 76.73x
Llansaintfraed In Elvel 3 447.76x
Llanyre 3 196.08x
Lower Mitton 3 40.93x
Lyonshall 3 158.73x
Newton In Hereford 3 714.29x
Old Radnor 3 315.79x
Pudlestone 3 476.19x
West Bromwich 3 2.44x
Bockleton 2 416.67x
Broughton In Salford 2 2.89x
Burton Extra 2 16.22x
Cwmdauddwr 2 120.48x
Eardisley 2 105.82x
Presteigne 2 61.35x
Weobley 2 103.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 52
Elizabeth 25
Sarah 24
Ann 17
Eliza 17
Margaret 17
Emma 15
Jane 13
Ellen 9
Annie 8
Alice 6
Hannah 6
Martha 6
Anne 5
Emily 5
Fanny 5
Harriet 5
Caroline 4
Catherine 4
Edith 4
Florence 4
Clara 3
Esther 3
Louisa 3
Rose 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Eleanor 2
Laura 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Winifred 2
Cecilia 1
Charlotte 1
Constance 1
Elenor 1
Elinor 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizath. 1
Elizath.Hannah 1
Elizth. 1
Gwenllian 1
Harret 1
Harriett 1
Ida 1
Jamnia 1
Jennet 1
Jessie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 67
William 43
Thomas 22
James 21
Edward 19
David 18
Charles 12
George 12
Henry 9
Edwin 8
Arthur 7
Benjamin 7
Aaron 6
Evan 6
Richard 6
Albert 3
Joseph 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Ernest 2
Frederick 2
Price 2
Robert 2
Silvenus 2
Wm. 2
Allan 1
Allen 1
Aurthur 1
Cahrles 1
Charls 1
Chas. 1
Claude 1
Daniel 1
Dansey 1
Eyylyn 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Gerrard 1
Harry 1
Jane 1
Jonathan 1
Margret 1
Matthew 1
Sarah 1
Sidney 1
Solomin 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Thos.A. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Bufton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bufton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 653 people were recorded with the Bufton surname. That placed it at #5,479 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bufton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,391 in 2016. That gives Bufton a modern rank of #4,359.

What does the Bufton surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place name likely meaning "town on a ridge or hill".

What does the Bufton map show?

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