NameCensus.

UK surname

Chaffin

An English occupational surname derived from the Old French word "chaufin," meaning a bald or balding man.

In the 1881 census there were 104 people recorded with the Chaffin surname, ranking it #19,296 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 110, ranked #29,225, down from #19,296 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bath St James, London parishes and Sherborne. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Bassetlaw and Redditch.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chaffin is 133 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5.8%.

1881 census count

104

Ranked #19,296

Modern count

110

2016, ranked #29,225

Peak year

1997

133 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chaffin had 104 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,296 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016, ranked #29,225.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 127 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Chaffin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chaffin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chaffin 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 85 #18,940
1861 historical 85 #22,922
1881 historical 104 #19,296
1891 historical 101 #23,870
1901 historical 112 #21,382
1911 historical 127 #19,749
1997 modern 133 #22,705
1998 modern 131 #23,495
1999 modern 129 #23,907
2000 modern 120 #24,950
2001 modern 118 #24,832
2002 modern 125 #24,492
2003 modern 120 #24,909
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 111 #26,260
2006 modern 108 #27,015
2007 modern 108 #27,391
2008 modern 110 #27,391
2009 modern 106 #28,666
2010 modern 111 #28,509
2011 modern 110 #28,478
2012 modern 117 #27,394
2013 modern 114 #28,347
2014 modern 114 #28,608
2015 modern 112 #28,809
2016 modern 110 #29,225

Geography

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Where Chaffins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bath St James, London parishes, Sherborne, Liverpool and Enfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Bassetlaw, Redditch and Portsmouth. 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 Bath St James Somerset
2 London parishes London 1
3 Sherborne Dorset
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Enfield Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 048 Cornwall
2 Bassetlaw 004 Bassetlaw
3 Redditch 003 Redditch
4 Portsmouth 017 Portsmouth
5 Cornwall 054 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chaffin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Chaffin

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Chaffin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Chaffin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Chaffin 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

Chaffin is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Chaffin 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 Chaffin 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 Chaffin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Chaffin

The surname Chaffin is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages, likely derived from the Old English word "cæfan," which means "to chaff" or "to winnow grain." This suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals who worked as farmers or in agricultural professions.

The earliest recorded instances of the Chaffin surname can be traced back to the 13th century in various English parish records and tax rolls. Variations in spelling, such as Chaffyn, Chaffyne, and Chaffyne, were common during this period due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

One notable early reference to the Chaffin name can be found in the Cartulary of Dunstable Priory, a medieval manuscript dating back to the late 12th century. This document mentions a person named Walter Chaffyn, who lived in Bedfordshire during that time.

In the 14th century, the Chaffin surname appeared in various manorial records and court rolls, indicating that the family had established itself across different regions of England. For example, the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 list a John Chaffyn, while the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Somerset in 1334 mention a William Chaffyn.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Chaffin name became more widespread and can be found in various historical records, including parish registers and tax lists. One notable figure from this period was Robert Chaffin (1529-1608), a prominent English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Norfolk.

In the 18th century, the Chaffin family had established roots in various parts of England, including Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. A notable individual from this time was John Chaffin (1675-1743), a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for Bridport, Dorset.

As the Chaffin family spread throughout the British Isles, variations in spelling continued to emerge, such as Chaffyn, Chaffing, and Chaffing. Additionally, some individuals with the surname Chaffin migrated to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, further contributing to the name's global distribution.

Overall, the Chaffin surname has a rich history deeply rooted in English agricultural traditions, with its earliest known origins dating back to the Middle Ages. The name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, landowners, and members of parliament, showcasing its enduring presence throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Chaffin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chaffin 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. Middlesex leads with 34 Chaffins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.35x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 34 3.35x
Somerset 27 16.54x
Dorset 10 15.02x
Surrey 8 1.62x
Lancashire 7 0.58x
Hampshire 5 2.41x
Gloucestershire 4 2.01x
Glamorgan 3 1.70x
Sussex 3 1.75x
Kent 1 0.29x
Lanarkshire 1 0.30x
Lincolnshire 1 0.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Yeovil in Somerset leads with 11 Chaffins recorded in 1881 and an index of 331.33x.

Place Total Index
Yeovil 11 331.33x
Sherborne 10 510.20x
Chelsea London 8 26.18x
Kensington London 6 10.64x
Liverpool 6 8.21x
Shoreditch London 6 13.65x
Bedminster 5 32.59x
Camberwell 5 7.72x
Islington London 5 5.09x
Southampton St Mary 5 38.26x
Taunton St Mary 5 166.67x
Brighton 3 8.70x
Bristol St Paul In 3 56.60x
Cardiff St Mary 3 30.83x
Charlcombe 3 1363.64x
Cranford 3 1764.71x
St George Martyr London 3 146.34x
Newington 2 5.34x
Bathford 1 294.12x
Bothwell 1 11.24x
Bristol St Augustine 1 31.15x
Bury 1 7.27x
Rochester St Margaret 1 27.40x
St Anne Soho London 1 17.27x
St George Bloomsbury 1 17.18x
Wandsworth 1 10.25x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 1 76.34x
Westminster St Margaret 1 20.45x
Westonsuper Mare 1 303.03x
Wrawby 1 227.27x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 6
Mary 6
Louisa 4
Ann 3
Emma 3
Jane 3
Sarah 3
Emily 2
Maria 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Amy 1
Anna 1
Bessy 1
Blanche 1
Constance 1
Ellen 1
Florance 1
Jenny 1
Kate 1
Lilian 1
Margarett 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Rosa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 9
John 5
James 4
William 4
Frederick 3
Richard 3
Thomas 3
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Henry 2
Robert 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Chas. 1
Fredc. 1
G. 1
Lionel 1
Richd. 1
Thos. 1
W.A.N. 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Chaffin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chaffin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 104 people were recorded with the Chaffin surname. That placed it at #19,296 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Chaffin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016. That gives Chaffin a modern rank of #29,225.

What does the Chaffin surname mean?

An English occupational surname derived from the Old French word "chaufin," meaning a bald or balding man.

What does the Chaffin map show?

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