NameCensus.

UK surname

Claffey

An Irish surname derived from the occupation of making cloaks or cloaks.

In the 1881 census there were 34 people recorded with the Claffey surname, ranking it #28,837 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 219, ranked #18,422, up from #28,837 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Campbeltown, Carnwadric West and Wrexham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Claffey is 222 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 544.1%.

1881 census count

34

Ranked #28,837

Modern count

219

2016, ranked #18,422

Peak year

2014

222 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Claffey had 34 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,837 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 219 in 2016, ranked #18,422.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 64 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Claffey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Claffey surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Claffey 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 13 #30,970
1861 historical 27 #30,543
1881 historical 34 #28,837
1891 historical 45 #30,747
1901 historical 51 #28,492
1911 historical 64 #26,435
1997 modern 199 #17,668
1998 modern 206 #17,796
1999 modern 200 #18,237
2000 modern 205 #17,940
2001 modern 192 #18,388
2002 modern 198 #18,410
2003 modern 181 #19,277
2004 modern 172 #20,008
2005 modern 175 #19,727
2006 modern 180 #19,526
2007 modern 180 #19,745
2008 modern 190 #19,246
2009 modern 198 #19,145
2010 modern 216 #18,492
2011 modern 201 #19,213
2012 modern 206 #18,837
2013 modern 217 #18,493
2014 modern 222 #18,355
2015 modern 222 #18,225
2016 modern 219 #18,422

Geography

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Where Claffeys 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 Campbeltown, Carnwadric West, Wrexham, Harborough 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Campbeltown Argyll and Bute
2 Carnwadric West Glasgow City
3 Wrexham 015 Wrexham
4 Harborough 003 Harborough
5 Manchester 040 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Claffey

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Claffey

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Claffey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Claffey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Claffey is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Claffey 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

Claffey falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Claffey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Claffey

The surname Claffey is of Irish origin, with roots stretching back to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic name "O'Cloitheamhnaigh," which translates to "descendant of Cloitheamhnach," a personal name derived from the word "claidheamh," meaning "sword."

The earliest recorded instances of the name Claffey can be traced back to the 16th century, with mentions found in various Irish annals and manuscripts. One notable figure was Terence Claffey, a prominent landowner and member of the Irish gentry in County Mayo during the 17th century.

As the name spread across Ireland, it underwent various spelling variations, including Claffey, Claffy, Claffie, and Clafy. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the Anglicization of Irish names by English scribes and record-keepers.

In the 18th century, the Claffey family gained recognition through the exploits of Michael Claffey, a renowned Irish rebel and soldier who fought against English rule during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. His bravery and leadership earned him a place in Irish folklore and contributed to the name's prominence.

Another notable figure was John Claffey, a 19th-century Irish poet and writer, who was born in County Galway in 1815. His works, which celebrated Irish culture and identity, were widely celebrated during his lifetime and continue to be studied today.

In the realm of literature, the name Claffey is also associated with Eibhlín Claffey, a respected Irish novelist and short story writer from County Sligo, born in 1892. Her literary works, which often explored themes of Irish identity and the struggles of rural life, earned her critical acclaim and a place in the canon of Irish literature.

The name Claffey has also been linked to various place names throughout Ireland, such as Claffey's Cross in County Mayo and Claffey's Bridge in County Galway, further solidifying its deep-rooted connection to the Irish landscape and heritage.

While the Claffey name has traveled far beyond its Irish roots, its origins remain firmly rooted in the rich tapestry of Irish history, culture, and tradition, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of this ancient surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Claffey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Claffey 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. Staffordshire leads with 10 Claffeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.93x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 10 8.93x
Warwickshire 10 11.96x
Montgomeryshire 7 92.11x
Lancashire 4 1.02x
Hampshire 1 1.47x
Nottinghamshire 1 2.24x
Yorkshire 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 10 Claffeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.88x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 10 35.88x
Pool 7 1228.07x
Wolstanton 7 205.88x
Manchester 3 16.96x
Stoke Upon Trent 3 25.27x
Aldershot 1 43.86x
Keighley 1 28.57x
Nottingham St Mary 1 8.65x
Widnes 1 35.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Ellen 3
Annie 1
Elizabeth 1
Hannah 1
Julia 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Martha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 5
John 4
Thomas 2
Charles 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
George 1
Henry 1
Janos 1
Joseph 1
Laurance 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Claffey households.

FAQ

Claffey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Claffey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 34 people were recorded with the Claffey surname. That placed it at #28,837 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Claffey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 219 in 2016. That gives Claffey a modern rank of #18,422.

What does the Claffey surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the occupation of making cloaks or cloaks.

What does the Claffey map show?

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