UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic MacFhionnghuin meaning "son of the fair-born".
In the 1881 census there were 20 people recorded with the Guffin surname, ranking it #30,738 among surnames in the records. By 2014, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,020, down from #30,738 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lutterworth, Sibbertoft and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Guffin is 128 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.0%.
1881 census count
20
Ranked #30,738
Modern count
1
2014, ranked #39,020
Peak year
1891
128 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Guffin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Guffin 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 | 110 | #16,093 |
| 1861 | historical | 31 | #30,058 |
| 1881 | historical | 20 | #30,738 |
| 1891 | historical | 128 | #20,393 |
| 1901 | historical | 47 | #28,929 |
| 1911 | historical | 42 | #28,691 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lutterworth, Sibbertoft, London parishes, St Pancras and St Marylebone. 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 | Lutterworth | Leicestershire |
| 2 | Sibbertoft | Leicestershire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Guffin 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 Guffin, 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 Guffin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Guffin 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, Guffin 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 Guffin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Guffin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Guffin has its origins in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "goff," meaning "lame" or "limping," suggesting that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname for someone with a physical impairment.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Guffin can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of homage rendered to King Edward I of England by Scottish nobles and landowners. The entry lists a "Gilbertus Goffyn" from the Hebrides islands.
In the 16th century, a notable bearer of the name was Angus Guffin, a prominent clan chief from the Isle of Mull. He played a pivotal role in the Scottish clan battles during the reign of Queen Mary and was known for his bravery and leadership.
In the 17th century, the name Guffin appeared in various parish records and court documents across the Scottish Highlands and Islands. One notable example is Duncan Guffin, a landowner from the Isle of Skye, who was involved in a dispute over land rights in the year 1642.
The 18th century saw the emergence of James Guffin, a renowned Scottish poet and philosopher. Born in 1732 in the village of Glenfinnan, he published several acclaimed works, including "The Musings of a Highland Bard" and "Reflections on the Nature of Truth."
In the 19th century, the name Guffin gained recognition through the accomplishments of Alasdair Guffin, a prominent Scottish architect. Born in 1820 in Inverness, he designed several notable buildings, including the Inverness Town Hall and the Guffin Memorial Library, which still stands today.
Throughout its history, the surname Guffin has maintained a strong presence in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region. While it may have originated as a descriptive nickname, the name has evolved to hold a distinct Scottish identity and legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Guffin 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. Middlesex leads with 6 Guffins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.08x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 6 | 3.08x |
| Kent | 3 | 4.51x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 1.30x |
| Cornwall | 2 | 9.07x |
| Surrey | 2 | 2.11x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 2.50x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 1.59x |
| Sussex | 1 | 3.04x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 2.04x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 4 Guffins recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.51x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Pancras London | 4 | 25.51x |
| Folkestone | 3 | 232.56x |
| Budock | 2 | 1176.47x |
| East Molesey | 2 | 909.09x |
| Royton | 2 | 281.69x |
| Aldershot | 1 | 74.63x |
| Anderston | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 6.11x |
| Eastbourne | 1 | 66.23x |
| Islington London | 1 | 5.29x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 7.12x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 27.17x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Guffin 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 Guffin 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 Guffin households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Cotton Operative | 2 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Jeweller Unemployed | 1 |
| Manft Lace Goods | 1 |
| Parish Clerk (Ch Off) | 1 |
| Philosophical Inst Maker | 1 |
| Private | 1 |
| Soldiers Militia | 1 |
| Soldiers Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 20 people were recorded with the Guffin surname. That placed it at #30,738 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2014. That gives Guffin a modern rank of #39,020.
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic MacFhionnghuin meaning "son of the fair-born".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Guffin 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.