NameCensus.

UK surname

Chafer

English surname for someone who sold or traded in beetles.

In the 1881 census there were 234 people recorded with the Chafer surname, ranking it #11,607 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 521, ranked #9,701, up from #11,607 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Aukborough, London parishes and Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire and East Riding of Yorkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chafer is 563 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 122.6%.

1881 census count

234

Ranked #11,607

Modern count

521

2016, ranked #9,701

Peak year

2013

563 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chafer had 234 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,607 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 521 in 2016, ranked #9,701.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 422 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Chafer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chafer surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chafer 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 135 #13,964
1861 historical 158 #14,644
1881 historical 234 #11,607
1891 historical 269 #12,060
1901 historical 370 #10,017
1911 historical 422 #8,936
1997 modern 520 #9,043
1998 modern 531 #9,164
1999 modern 524 #9,319
2000 modern 506 #9,541
2001 modern 500 #9,464
2002 modern 518 #9,400
2003 modern 508 #9,379
2004 modern 505 #9,453
2005 modern 498 #9,467
2006 modern 486 #9,675
2007 modern 484 #9,796
2008 modern 487 #9,840
2009 modern 512 #9,670
2010 modern 525 #9,692
2011 modern 533 #9,500
2012 modern 559 #9,063
2013 modern 563 #9,151
2014 modern 549 #9,410
2015 modern 522 #9,710
2016 modern 521 #9,701

Geography

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Where Chafers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Aukborough, London parishes, Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton), West Halton, Burton-on-Stather, Flixborough (Crosby) and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Lincolnshire and East Riding of Yorkshire. 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 Aukborough Lincolnshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton) Yorkshire, West Riding
4 West Halton, Burton-on-Stather, Flixborough (Crosby) Lincolnshire
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Lincolnshire 006 North Lincolnshire
2 North Lincolnshire 013 North Lincolnshire
3 East Riding of Yorkshire 041 East Riding of Yorkshire
4 North Lincolnshire 018 North Lincolnshire
5 North Lincolnshire 019 North Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chafer

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Chafer

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Chafer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Chafer 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Chafer is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Chafer is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Chafer falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Chafer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Chafer

The surname Chafer is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word 'ceafor', meaning 'beetle' or 'insect'. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone who exhibited certain characteristics reminiscent of a beetle, such as a small stature or industrious nature.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Chafer can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, including Chafre, Chafere, and Chavere, indicating its long-standing presence in English history.

During the Middle Ages, the Chafer family was primarily concentrated in the counties of Warwickshire and Oxfordshire, where they held land and established roots. One notable figure from this period was John Chafer, a wealthy landowner from Oxfordshire who lived in the late 13th century and was documented in the Hundred Rolls of 1273.

In the 16th century, the Chafer surname gained prominence with the birth of William Chafer (1515-1599), a renowned English Protestant clergyman and theologian. He served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire and was known for his strong opposition to Catholicism during the Reformation.

The 17th century saw the rise of another notable Chafer, Edward Chafer (1617-1684), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire. He was instrumental in funding the construction of several churches and schools in the region, leaving a lasting legacy in the local community.

As the British Empire expanded, the Chafer name spread across the globe. One such individual was Sir Thomas Chafer (1768-1845), a British colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Mauritius from 1811 to 1819. His tenure was marked by significant reforms in the island's infrastructure and economy.

The 19th century witnessed the birth of Walter Chafer (1844-1921), a prominent English architect who designed numerous buildings in London, including the iconic Royal Albert Hall. His architectural contributions left an indelible mark on the city's skyline and earned him widespread recognition.

Throughout its history, the Chafer surname has been associated with various occupations, from clergymen and merchants to architects and colonial administrators. While the name's origins can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon times, it has endured and spread across the globe, carrying with it a rich tapestry of stories and achievements.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Chafer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chafer 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. Lincolnshire leads with 114 Chafers recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.10x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 114 31.10x
Yorkshire 88 3.87x
Middlesex 20 0.87x
Northamptonshire 6 2.78x
Kent 2 0.26x
Devon 1 0.21x
Essex 1 0.22x
Leicestershire 1 0.39x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.32x
Royal Navy 1 3.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Grimsby in Lincolnshire leads with 19 Chafers recorded in 1881 and an index of 81.69x.

Place Total Index
Great Grimsby 19 81.69x
Burton Upon Stather 17 3617.02x
Epworth 17 994.15x
Sculcoates 12 33.31x
Hatfield In Thorne 11 774.65x
Altofts 10 398.41x
Paddington London 10 11.86x
Doncaster 9 54.22x
Goole 8 209.97x
Mumby 8 1600.00x
Bethnal Green London 7 7.03x
St Maryle Wigford 7 245.61x
Brightside Bierlow 6 13.47x
Crowle 6 269.06x
Grayingham 6 4615.38x
Northampton St Giles 6 73.08x
Whitgift 6 2068.97x
Althorpe 5 602.41x
Barrow On Humber 5 234.74x
Alkborough 4 1290.32x
East Halton 3 588.24x
Lockwood 3 36.72x
Barton St Mary 2 108.70x
Bellasize 2 2222.22x
Drax 2 689.66x
Glanford Brigg 2 152.67x
Greasbrough 2 66.67x
Owston 2 192.31x
Saltmarshe 2 3333.33x
St Botolph Aldgate London 2 42.37x
Wrawby 2 202.02x
Bagmore Burton By 1 400.00x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 12.25x
Coleby West Halton 1 500.00x
Cottingham 1 20.41x
East Ferry 1 909.09x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 2.16x
Elsham 1 256.41x
Flixborough 1 555.56x
Frodingham 1 76.34x
Garthorpe 1 227.27x
Gate Fulford 1 18.87x
Goxhill 1 111.11x
Great Driffield 1 21.46x
Haldenby 1 1428.57x
Holy Trinity 1 1.83x
Huddersfield 1 3.02x
Islington London 1 0.45x
Leyton 1 12.84x
Loughborough 1 8.67x
North Somercotes 1 104.17x
Scotter 1 119.05x
South Kelsey 1 208.33x
Spalding 1 13.76x
Stainton 1 1000.00x
Stallingborough 1 263.16x
Tickhill 1 68.97x
Wath On Dearne 1 22.08x
West Teignmouth 1 27.40x
Whitton 1 666.67x
Wiseton 1 1111.11x
Woolwich 1 3.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 9
Mary 9
Emma 8
Sarah 8
Alice 6
Ann 6
Hannah 6
Jane 6
Eliza 5
Emily 5
Harriet 4
Clara 3
Fanny 3
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Julie 2
Kate 2
M.A. 2
Rose 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Anney 1
Comfort 1
Dora 1
Edith 1
Esther 1
Faith 1
Flora 1
Frances 1
Harriot 1
Hester 1
Jemima 1
Jinney 1
Leah 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1
Nancy 1
Saneth 1
Sar. 1
Sophia 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 18
George 13
William 11
Thomas 9
Isaac 7
Henry 5
Joseph 5
Charles 4
Walter 4
Harry 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Francis 2
Fred 2
James 2
W.E. 2
Wm. 2
A.J.A. 1
A.N. 1
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Dunn 1
E.G. 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Geo. 1
H.R. 1
Havercroft 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Josh.H. 1
Marcham 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Thos 1
Tobias 1
Tune 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Chafer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chafer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 234 people were recorded with the Chafer surname. That placed it at #11,607 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Chafer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 521 in 2016. That gives Chafer a modern rank of #9,701.

What does the Chafer surname mean?

English surname for someone who sold or traded in beetles.

What does the Chafer map show?

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