NameCensus.

UK surname

Diffley

A variant spelling of the Old English place name Dyfflith, derived from the words "dyff" and "lith" meaning "deep stream."

In the 1881 census there were 26 people recorded with the Diffley surname, ranking it #29,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 98, ranked #31,470, down from #29,911 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Enfield, Newcastle upon Tyne and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Diffley is 125 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 276.9%.

1881 census count

26

Ranked #29,911

Modern count

98

2016, ranked #31,470

Peak year

2002

125 bearers

Map years

2

1998 to 2006

Key insights

  • Diffley had 26 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,911 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016, ranked #31,470.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 46 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Diffley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Diffley surname density by area, 2006 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Diffley 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 3 #32,890
1861 historical 15 #31,942
1881 historical 26 #29,911
1891 historical 28 #32,046
1901 historical 40 #29,678
1911 historical 46 #28,224
1997 modern 109 #25,650
1998 modern 111 #25,990
1999 modern 113 #25,913
2000 modern 121 #24,824
2001 modern 117 #24,974
2002 modern 125 #24,492
2003 modern 115 #25,538
2004 modern 103 #27,503
2005 modern 96 #28,671
2006 modern 103 #27,785
2007 modern 102 #28,351
2008 modern 102 #28,664
2009 modern 100 #29,597
2010 modern 107 #29,153
2011 modern 110 #28,478
2012 modern 96 #30,949
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 100 #31,033
2015 modern 102 #30,624
2016 modern 98 #31,470

Geography

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Where Diffleys 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 Enfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, Leeds, Reigate and Banstead and Barnet. 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 Enfield 019 Enfield
2 Newcastle upon Tyne 027 Newcastle upon Tyne
3 Leeds 027 Leeds
4 Reigate and Banstead 014 Reigate and Banstead
5 Barnet 012 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Diffley

These lists show first names that appear often with the Diffley 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 Diffley

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Diffley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Diffley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Diffley 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

Diffley 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

Diffley falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Diffley

The surname Diffley is of Irish origin, believed to have originated in the medieval period. It is thought to be an Anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Duibhlídhe, derived from the words "dubh" meaning black and "lídhe" meaning warrior or champion. This suggests the name may have been given to a dark-haired or swarthy individual known for their prowess in battle.

The Diffley name is primarily associated with County Mayo in the west of Ireland, particularly the baronies of Erris and Gallen. It is possible the name has connections to the Ó Dubhghiolla clan, a branch of the powerful Uí Briúin dynasty that ruled parts of Connacht in the 11th and 12th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. It mentions a Tadhg Ó Duibhlídhe who was killed in a battle in County Mayo in 1300.

In the 16th century, a Domhnall Ó Duibhlídhe is noted as a prominent landowner in the parish of Kilcommon, County Mayo. He is believed to have been a member of the Church of Ireland and may have anglicized his name to Diffley during this period of increased English influence in Ireland.

Notable Diffleys through history include:

1. Edmund Diffley (c. 1560-1630), an Irish priest and scholar who taught at several universities across Europe.

2. John Diffley (1710-1785), a wealthy merchant and landowner in County Mayo, known for his support of Irish independence movements.

3. Bridget Diffley (1784-1858), a poet and songwriter from Belmullet, County Mayo, renowned for her compositions in the Irish language.

4. Michael Diffley (1858-1928), an Irish nationalist and member of the Irish Parliamentary Party, who campaigned for Home Rule in the late 19th century.

5. Patrick Diffley (1901-1972), a distinguished historian and academic who wrote extensively on the history and culture of County Mayo.

While the name has evolved in spelling over time, its roots can be traced back to the Irish Gaelic Ó Duibhlídhe, reflecting the surname's deep connections to the rich history and heritage of County Mayo and the broader west of Ireland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Diffley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Diffley 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. Lancashire leads with 22 Diffleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.31x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 22 7.31x
Warwickshire 2 3.13x
Hampshire 1 1.92x
Middlesex 1 0.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Spotland in Lancashire leads with 16 Diffleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 477.61x.

Place Total Index
Spotland 16 477.61x
Ince In Makerfield 4 285.71x
Birmingham 2 9.39x
Wigan 2 47.62x
Chelsea London 1 13.09x
Portsea 1 9.81x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Bridget 2
Catherine 2
Elizabeth 2
Ellen 2
Mary 2
Ann 1
Anna 1
Annie 1
Jane 1
Julia 1
Nancy 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Michael 2
George 1
James 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Patrick 1
Thomas 1
Thos.Michael 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 Diffley households.

FAQ

Diffley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Diffley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 26 people were recorded with the Diffley surname. That placed it at #29,911 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Diffley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016. That gives Diffley a modern rank of #31,470.

What does the Diffley surname mean?

A variant spelling of the Old English place name Dyfflith, derived from the words "dyff" and "lith" meaning "deep stream."

What does the Diffley map show?

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