NameCensus.

UK surname

Diffin

A German surname derived from the occupation of making dyeing or coloring materials.

In the 1881 census there were 23 people recorded with the Diffin surname, ranking it #30,339 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 115, ranked #28,348, up from #30,339 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenock Town Centre and East Central, Calderdale and Greenock East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Diffin is 118 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 400.0%.

1881 census count

23

Ranked #30,339

Modern count

115

2016, ranked #28,348

Peak year

2010

118 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Diffin had 23 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,339 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016, ranked #28,348.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 53 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Routine Occupations or Retirement.

Diffin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Diffin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Diffin 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 8 #31,867
1861 historical 22 #31,140
1881 historical 23 #30,339
1891 historical 53 #29,946
1901 historical 48 #28,808
1911 historical 33 #29,703
1997 modern 105 #26,188
1998 modern 110 #26,129
1999 modern 112 #26,044
2000 modern 108 #26,549
2001 modern 105 #26,620
2002 modern 109 #26,552
2003 modern 106 #26,775
2004 modern 102 #27,637
2005 modern 99 #28,177
2006 modern 110 #26,717
2007 modern 114 #26,491
2008 modern 114 #26,796
2009 modern 109 #28,145
2010 modern 118 #27,404
2011 modern 114 #27,784
2012 modern 117 #27,394
2013 modern 116 #27,992
2014 modern 115 #28,439
2015 modern 114 #28,478
2016 modern 115 #28,348

Geography

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Where Diffins 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 Greenock Town Centre and East Central, Calderdale, Greenock East, Derby and Wirral. 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 Greenock Town Centre and East Central Inverclyde
2 Calderdale 027 Calderdale
3 Greenock East Inverclyde
4 Derby 025 Derby
5 Wirral 029 Wirral

Forenames

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First names often paired with Diffin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Diffin

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

Routine Occupations or Retirement

Nationally, the Diffin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Routine Occupations or Retirement, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Diffin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are characterised by high proportions of single, often never-married adults of normal retirement age or older, including many that are in the most advanced age groups. Most adults are UK born and live at high residential densities, and many of the children living with parents are in adulthood. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are uncommon, but above average proportions of households include individuals that identify with different ethnic groups. Long-term disability is relatively common, and the dominant accommodation type is flats. Unemployment rates are high, with most of those employed working in routine occupations. Few individuals have high level qualifications. Car ownership is not high.

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, Diffin 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

Diffin is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Diffin falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Diffin

The surname DIFFIN is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "dyfyn," which means "to dig" or "to delve." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who worked as a digger or laborer.

The earliest recorded instances of the name DIFFIN can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, a man named John Diffin is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. Additionally, the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1327 list a Richard Dyfyn.

In the 15th century, the name appears to have been concentrated in the southern counties of England, particularly in the regions of Sussex and Gloucestershire. This is evidenced by entries in the Feet of Fines, a collection of legal records from that era.

One notable individual with the surname DIFFIN was Sir Thomas Diffin, a member of the gentry who lived in Gloucestershire during the late 16th century. He was known for his involvement in local politics and served as a Justice of the Peace.

Another person of significance was William Diffin, born in 1647 in Sussex. He was a prominent merchant and trader who established successful business ventures in London and the surrounding areas.

In the 18th century, the name DIFFIN gained recognition through the work of John Diffin, a respected scholar and writer. He was born in 1712 in Gloucestershire and authored several notable works on literature and philosophy.

The surname DIFFIN also has connections to various place names in England. For instance, there is a village called Diffin Hill located in the county of Sussex, which may have derived its name from early settlers with the DIFFIN surname.

Throughout its history, the surname DIFFIN has undergone slight variations in spelling, such as Dyfyn, Duffin, and Diffyn, but the core pronunciation and meaning have remained relatively consistent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Diffin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Diffin 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. Derbyshire leads with 9 Diffins recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.62x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 9 25.62x
Renfrewshire 5 28.75x
Stirlingshire 3 36.23x
Lanarkshire 2 2.76x
Oxfordshire 2 14.43x
Cumberland 1 5.18x
Yorkshire 1 0.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glossop Dale in Derbyshire leads with 9 Diffins recorded in 1881 and an index of 548.78x.

Place Total Index
Glossop Dale 9 548.78x
West Greenock 5 160.26x
Larbert 3 612.24x
Barony 2 10.89x
Henley On Thames 2 714.29x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 22.12x
Whitehaven 1 97.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1
Annie 1
Eliza 1
Jane 1
Margret 1
Mary 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Robert 2
Albert 1
James 1
Joseph 1
William 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 Diffin households.

FAQ

Diffin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Diffin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 23 people were recorded with the Diffin surname. That placed it at #30,339 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Diffin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016. That gives Diffin a modern rank of #28,348.

What does the Diffin surname mean?

A German surname derived from the occupation of making dyeing or coloring materials.

What does the Diffin map show?

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