UK surname
A surname derived from the word for a small chest or coffer used for storing valuables.
In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Coffer surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 71, ranked #33,633, down from #24,420 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Currie, Christ Church Spitalfields and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coffer is 140 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.2%.
1881 census count
65
Ranked #24,420
Modern count
71
2016, ranked #33,633
Peak year
1861
140 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Coffer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Coffer surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 56 | #23,235 |
| 1861 | historical | 140 | #16,169 |
| 1881 | historical | 65 | #24,420 |
| 1891 | historical | 109 | #22,701 |
| 1901 | historical | 61 | #27,379 |
| 1911 | historical | 73 | #25,541 |
| 1997 | modern | 71 | #30,521 |
| 1998 | modern | 73 | #30,681 |
| 1999 | modern | 68 | #31,311 |
| 2000 | modern | 73 | #30,881 |
| 2001 | modern | 76 | #30,366 |
| 2002 | modern | 76 | #30,830 |
| 2003 | modern | 82 | #30,206 |
| 2004 | modern | 84 | #30,244 |
| 2005 | modern | 77 | #31,156 |
| 2006 | modern | 71 | #32,147 |
| 2007 | modern | 72 | #32,397 |
| 2008 | modern | 68 | #33,047 |
| 2009 | modern | 72 | #33,021 |
| 2010 | modern | 80 | #32,670 |
| 2011 | modern | 73 | #33,230 |
| 2012 | modern | 80 | #32,877 |
| 2013 | modern | 75 | #33,409 |
| 2014 | modern | 72 | #33,647 |
| 2015 | modern | 71 | #33,666 |
| 2016 | modern | 71 | #33,633 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Currie, Christ Church Spitalfields, Gateshead, Edinburgh and St Mary Stratford-le-Bow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Currie | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Christ Church Spitalfields | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | St Mary Stratford-le-Bow | London (East Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Coffer surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Coffer, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Coffer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Coffer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Coffer is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Coffer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Coffer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Coffer is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "cofer," which means a chest or box used for storing valuables or other items. This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who made or sold such chests or boxes.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Coffer can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which lists a John le Cofrer from Oxfordshire. The "le" prefix indicates that the name was likely an occupational surname at that time.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Coffrer, Cofrer, and Coferier, reflecting the different spellings and pronunciations used in different regions of England.
One notable historical reference to the name Coffer is in the Patent Rolls of 1379, which mention a William Cofrer from London who was granted a license to export wool.
Moving into the 15th century, the Coffer surname began appearing in records across various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Warwickshire.
Some famous individuals with the surname Coffer throughout history include:
1. Richard Coffer (c. 1510-1580), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Cornwall. 2. John Coffer (1561-1629), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works. 3. William Coffer (1631-1704), an English merchant and landowner who owned substantial property in Dorset. 4. Elizabeth Coffer (1672-1738), an English writer and playwright known for her satirical works. 5. Thomas Coffer (1785-1854), a British soldier who served in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a renowned military historian.
While the Coffer surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, due to emigration and migration patterns over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Coffer surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 18 Coffers recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.40x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 18 | 9.40x |
| Kent | 8 | 3.64x |
| Midlothian | 8 | 9.28x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.78x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.52x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.28x |
| West Lothian | 4 | 41.28x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.63x |
| Carmarthenshire | 3 | 11.06x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 0.96x |
| Roxburghshire | 2 | 17.15x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.79x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 13.04x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.46x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.62x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hedworth Monkton Jarrow in Durham leads with 18 Coffers recorded in 1881 and an index of 217.13x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 18 | 217.13x |
| Currie | 7 | 1320.75x |
| Gravesend | 6 | 322.58x |
| Battersea | 4 | 16.89x |
| Boness | 4 | 298.51x |
| Halifax | 3 | 32.05x |
| Llanelly | 3 | 49.10x |
| Wigan | 3 | 28.12x |
| Ancrum | 2 | 666.67x |
| Barony | 2 | 3.80x |
| Deptford St Paul | 2 | 11.81x |
| St George Hanover Square | 2 | 17.64x |
| Bow London | 1 | 12.21x |
| Cannock | 1 | 26.39x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 5.16x |
| Clifton | 1 | 15.67x |
| Edgbaston | 1 | 19.88x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 2.88x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 15.24x |
| Selby | 1 | 75.19x |
| Shadwell London | 1 | 55.56x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 3.87x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Coffer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Coffer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Coffer households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Cotton Spinner | 2 |
| G Lab | 2 |
| Agricultural Labourer (Unemployed) | 1 |
| Apprentice Caulker (Ship) | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Captain Forecastle | 1 |
| Carpet Works Feeder | 1 |
| Clerk Wool Warehouse | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Cook Serv | 1 |
| Cooper | 1 |
| Cotton Rover | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Fireman (L S W R) | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Laundry Assistant (W S) | 1 |
| Mariners Wife | 1 |
| Potatoe Merchant | 1 |
| Retired Iron Agent | 1 |
| Rope Maker | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Worsted Oiler | 1 |
| Worsted Twister | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Coffer surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 71 in 2016. That gives Coffer a modern rank of #33,633.
A surname derived from the word for a small chest or coffer used for storing valuables.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Coffer bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.