NameCensus.

UK surname

Gafney

An anglicised form of the Irish surname Ó Gaibhtheacháin meaning "descendant of Gaibhtheachán".

In the 1881 census there were 181 people recorded with the Gafney surname, ranking it #13,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 96, ranked #31,684, down from #13,690 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Treeton (Treeton), Anston (Wales) and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Tendring and Dacorum.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gafney is 181 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.0%.

1881 census count

181

Ranked #13,690

Modern count

96

2016, ranked #31,684

Peak year

1881

181 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 2006

Key insights

  • Gafney had 181 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,690 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 96 in 2016, ranked #31,684.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 181 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Gafney surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gafney surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Gafney 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 132 #14,174
1861 historical 138 #16,365
1881 historical 181 #13,690
1891 historical 118 #21,540
1901 historical 102 #22,596
1911 historical 87 #24,147
1997 modern 112 #25,244
1998 modern 111 #25,990
1999 modern 118 #25,227
2000 modern 113 #25,843
2001 modern 110 #25,900
2002 modern 115 #25,749
2003 modern 114 #25,664
2004 modern 124 #24,559
2005 modern 120 #25,066
2006 modern 119 #25,413
2007 modern 122 #25,353
2008 modern 117 #26,351
2009 modern 119 #26,637
2010 modern 120 #27,124
2011 modern 114 #27,784
2012 modern 113 #28,016
2013 modern 106 #29,740
2014 modern 102 #30,714
2015 modern 98 #31,342
2016 modern 96 #31,684

Geography

Back to top

Where Gafneys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Treeton (Treeton), Anston (Wales), Liverpool, Harthill with Woodall and Dalton-in-Furness. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Camden, Tendring, Dacorum and Redbridge. 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 Manchester Lancashire
2 Treeton (Treeton), Anston (Wales) Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 Harthill with Woodall Nottinghamshire
5 Dalton-in-Furness Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Camden 011 Camden
2 Tendring 007 Tendring
3 Dacorum 020 Dacorum
4 Camden 007 Camden
5 Redbridge 019 Redbridge

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Gafney

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Gafney

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Gafney surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Gafney household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Gafney is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gafney is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gafney falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gafney is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gafney

The surname GAFNEY is of Irish origin, deriving from the ancient Gaelic name O'Gamhnaidh. It is believed to have originated in County Donegal, Ireland, sometime in the 12th or 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word "gamhnach," meaning "a stripper of cow-skins" or "one who dealt in bovine hides."

GAFNEY is an anglicized version of the original Irish surname, with the prefix "O'" being dropped over time. Early records show various spellings, such as Gaffney, Gaffeney, and Gaffaney, reflecting the evolving nature of the name as it was adapted to English.

One of the earliest documented instances of the GAFNEY surname can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In 1395, a reference is made to "Aodh O'Gamhnaidh," which translates to "Hugh O'Gaffney."

The GAFNEY name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. In the 16th century, Rory Gafney was a prominent Irish chieftain and leader of the O'Gaffney clan in County Donegal. Another historical figure was Reverend John Gaffney (1759-1819), an influential Roman Catholic priest and educator in Pennsylvania, USA.

In more recent times, Edward Gafney (1904-1975) was an American attorney and politician who served as the Attorney General of Michigan from 1953 to 1954. Frank Gaffney (born 1953) is a prominent American political commentator and former assistant secretary of defense under President Ronald Reagan.

Other notable individuals with the GAFNEY surname include James Gaffney (1798-1868), an Irish-born American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio, and Maureen Gaffney (born 1961), an English author and psychologist known for her mystery novels.

While the GAFNEY name has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread across the globe, with many bearers of the surname residing in various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Gafney families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gafney 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 50 Gafneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.39x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 50 2.39x
Yorkshire 32 1.83x
Durham 21 4.00x
Middlesex 21 1.19x
Surrey 13 1.51x
Cumberland 10 6.58x
Denbighshire 7 10.50x
Lanarkshire 6 1.05x
Cheshire 5 1.28x
Northumberland 4 1.52x
Derbyshire 3 1.09x
Essex 3 0.86x
Midlothian 2 0.85x
Berkshire 1 0.75x
Devon 1 0.27x
Hertfordshire 1 0.82x
Somerset 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barrow In Furness in Lancashire leads with 15 Gafneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.65x.

Place Total Index
Barrow In Furness 15 52.65x
Wakefield 13 96.80x
Islington London 8 4.68x
Liverpool 8 6.29x
Millom 8 171.67x
Standish With Langtree 8 310.08x
Wales 8 579.71x
Newington 7 10.73x
Salford 7 11.36x
St Luke London 7 24.72x
Darlington 6 29.59x
Gresford Gwersyllt 6 289.86x
Cheadle 5 67.20x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 5 21.98x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 14.08x
Stranton 5 28.28x
Wiston Robertson 5 1470.59x
Batley 4 24.05x
Bishopwearmouth 4 8.87x
Clerkenwell London 3 7.20x
Hayfield 3 176.47x
Middlesbrough 3 13.17x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 3 19.12x
Caldewgate 2 24.01x
Elton 2 27.62x
Everton 2 3.00x
Great Dunmow 2 109.89x
Heaton Norris 2 16.78x
Sheffield 2 3.59x
St Marylebone London 2 2.12x
Abram 1 62.11x
Ardwick 1 5.29x
Ashford 1 71.94x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 2.18x
Bathwick 1 31.85x
Bishop Auckland 1 14.18x
Bishopsteignton 1 142.86x
Broughton In Salford 1 5.22x
Chelmsford 1 16.72x
Crichton 1 151.52x
Croydon 1 2.09x
Edinburgh Trinity 1 131.58x
Leeds 1 1.01x
Llanrhydd 1 192.31x
Manchester 1 1.06x
Rutherglen 1 11.93x
Shilbottle 1 384.62x
Tilehurst 1 37.31x
Watford 1 10.60x
Windle 1 8.48x
Wombwell 1 19.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Catherine 8
Elizabeth 7
Ann 6
Eliza 4
Ellen 4
Sarah 4
Bridget 3
Jane 3
Annie 2
Charlotte 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Priscillia 2
Rose 2
Amy 1
Anastatia 1
Betsy 1
Clara 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Hannah 1
Johanna 1
Julia 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Roseannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 16
John 16
Thomas 11
Michael 6
Patrick 6
William 6
George 4
Joseph 3
Albt. 1
Alfred 1
Charles 1
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Domnick 1
Edwd.M. 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Heckill 1
Henry 1
Hugh 1
Jas. 1
Lewis 1
Luke 1
Martin 1
Michl. 1
Richard 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Gafney surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gafney surname in 1881?

In 1881, 181 people were recorded with the Gafney surname. That placed it at #13,690 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gafney surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 96 in 2016. That gives Gafney a modern rank of #31,684.

What does the Gafney surname mean?

An anglicised form of the Irish surname Ó Gaibhtheacháin meaning "descendant of Gaibhtheachán".

What does the Gafney map show?

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