NameCensus.

UK surname

Goffe

An English surname derived from the Old French "goffe" meaning left-handed or clumsy.

In the 1881 census there were 221 people recorded with the Goffe surname, ranking it #12,049 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 210, ranked #18,965, down from #12,049 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, South Stoneham and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Oxfordshire, Birmingham and South Northamptonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goffe is 255 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 5.0%.

1881 census count

221

Ranked #12,049

Modern count

210

2016, ranked #18,965

Peak year

1901

255 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goffe had 221 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,049 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 210 in 2016, ranked #18,965.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 255 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Goffe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goffe surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goffe 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 217 #9,784
1861 historical 224 #10,882
1881 historical 221 #12,049
1891 historical 192 #15,383
1901 historical 255 #12,965
1911 historical 253 #12,776
1997 modern 220 #16,607
1998 modern 255 #15,470
1999 modern 255 #15,599
2000 modern 245 #15,955
2001 modern 231 #16,365
2002 modern 229 #16,771
2003 modern 230 #16,549
2004 modern 221 #17,066
2005 modern 221 #17,028
2006 modern 217 #17,349
2007 modern 227 #17,041
2008 modern 236 #16,736
2009 modern 230 #17,382
2010 modern 248 #16,886
2011 modern 237 #17,235
2012 modern 208 #18,720
2013 modern 221 #18,252
2014 modern 225 #18,142
2015 modern 217 #18,542
2016 modern 210 #18,965

Geography

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Where Goffes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, South Stoneham and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Oxfordshire, Birmingham, South Northamptonshire, Tendring and West Oxfordshire. 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 London parishes London 1
2 South Stoneham Hampshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 London parishes London 2
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Oxfordshire 003 South Oxfordshire
2 Birmingham 080 Birmingham
3 South Northamptonshire 011 South Northamptonshire
4 Tendring 018 Tendring
5 West Oxfordshire 004 West Oxfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goffe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goffe

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Goffe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Goffe 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Goffe 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

Goffe 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

Goffe falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Goffe 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Goffe

The surname GOFFE originated in England, with the earliest recorded instances of the name dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "gof," which meant "curved" or "crooked," possibly referring to someone who was physically deformed or had a distinctive way of walking or carrying themselves.

One of the earliest known bearers of the GOFFE surname was Willelmus Goffe, who was mentioned in the Curia Regis Rolls of Buckinghamshire in 1212. Another early record is that of Adam Goffe, who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Worcestershire in 1221.

The name GOFFE appears to have been concentrated in the counties of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Worcestershire during the medieval period, suggesting that these areas may have been the original strongholds of the family.

In the 14th century, the surname GOFFE was recorded in various forms, such as Goff, Goffe, and Gough, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that time. One notable bearer of the name was John Gough (c. 1330-1408), a prominent English lawyer and Judge of the Common Pleas.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the GOFFE surname continued to be found in various parts of England, with several individuals bearing the name achieving notable positions. Thomas Goffe (c. 1592-1629) was an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Rector of East Clandon in Surrey. His son, William Goffe (1605-1679), was a prominent military leader and one of the regicides involved in the execution of King Charles I during the English Civil War.

Another notable bearer of the GOFFE surname was Thomas Goffe (1591-1629), a poet and playwright who was a contemporary of William Shakespeare. His works included the tragedies "The Raging Turk" and "The Courageous Turk."

In the 18th century, the GOFFE surname was still prevalent in various parts of England, with records showing individuals bearing the name in counties such as Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. One notable individual from this period was John Goffe (1701-1775), a successful merchant and landowner in Boston, Massachusetts, who had emigrated from England.

Throughout history, the GOFFE surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, including law, religion, military service, and the arts. While it may have originated as a descriptive name referring to a physical characteristic, it has since become a well-established surname with a rich history and a presence in various parts of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goffe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goffe 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. Warwickshire leads with 51 Goffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.34x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 51 9.34x
Hampshire 46 10.36x
Middlesex 28 1.29x
Dorset 13 9.15x
Oxfordshire 12 8.97x
Surrey 10 0.95x
Norfolk 9 2.70x
Yorkshire 8 0.37x
Lancashire 6 0.23x
Gloucestershire 5 1.18x
Northamptonshire 4 1.96x
Nottinghamshire 4 1.37x
Sussex 4 1.10x
Flintshire 3 5.15x
Devon 2 0.44x
Essex 2 0.47x
Hertfordshire 2 1.34x
Kent 2 0.27x
Shropshire 2 1.07x
Somerset 2 0.57x
Staffordshire 2 0.27x
Berkshire 1 0.62x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.73x
Cornwall 1 0.41x
Derbyshire 1 0.30x
Suffolk 1 0.38x

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 30 Goffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.48x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 30 16.48x
Aston 13 8.65x
Basing 13 1566.27x
South Warnborough 11 4782.61x
Halstock 10 3030.30x
Kensington London 8 6.65x
Sheffield 8 11.71x
South Stoneham 8 83.07x
Bethnal Green London 7 7.44x
Solihull 7 178.12x
Westfield 6 7500.00x
Greywell 5 2173.91x
Lambeth 5 2.65x
St George Hanover Square 5 13.11x
W Adderbury 5 1515.15x
Hucknall Torkard 4 54.05x
Kings Sutton 4 439.56x
Sandford 4 1111.11x
Stretford 4 28.29x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 7.50x
Hastings St Mary 3 33.00x
North Walsham 3 125.00x
Rhuddlan 3 58.59x
St Pancras London 3 1.72x
Bishops Waltham 2 108.11x
Bristol St Augustine 2 29.20x
Bruton 2 145.99x
Cheshunt 2 38.31x
Hammersmith London 2 3.75x
Kingston On Thames 2 7.89x
Plymouth Charles The 2 10.07x
Portchester 2 350.88x
Shrewsbury St Chad 2 30.44x
Swalcliffe 2 434.78x
Toxteth Park 2 2.30x
Upminster 2 224.72x
Barnes 1 22.42x
Bonchurch 1 200.00x
Burford 1 86.21x
Canford Magna 1 121.95x
Castle Church 1 22.78x
Corfe Castle 1 75.76x
Derby St Peter 1 9.26x
Eling 1 22.22x
Ellingham 1 476.19x
Fordington 1 32.68x
Framlingham 1 53.48x
Islington London 1 0.48x
Leamington Priors 1 7.44x
Lewisham 1 2.54x
Lichfield St Chad 1 60.98x
Maplederwell 1 625.00x
Norwood 1 20.20x
Portsmouth 1 9.78x
Preston 1 15.67x
Richmond 1 6.77x
St Clement 1 39.06x
St Giles In Fields London 1 9.42x
Tilehurst 1 30.49x
Tonbridge 1 3.75x
Wisbech St Peter 1 14.53x
Wonersh 1 75.76x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 20
John 9
Charles 8
James 8
Henry 7
Thomas 6
George 5
Samuel 5
Edward 3
Frank 3
Harry 3
Walter 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Cecil 1
Chas 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Hy.A. 1
Jesse 1
Joseph 1
Matthew 1
Philip 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Sydney 1
Willson 1

FAQ

Goffe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goffe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 221 people were recorded with the Goffe surname. That placed it at #12,049 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goffe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 210 in 2016. That gives Goffe a modern rank of #18,965.

What does the Goffe surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old French "goffe" meaning left-handed or clumsy.

What does the Goffe map show?

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