NameCensus.

UK surname

Kiff

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "chap" or "cleft" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 312 people recorded with the Kiff surname, ranking it #9,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 696, ranked #7,738, up from #9,451 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Watford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Devon, Pembrokeshire and St Albans.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kiff is 812 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 123.1%.

1881 census count

312

Ranked #9,451

Modern count

696

2016, ranked #7,738

Peak year

1999

812 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kiff had 312 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,451 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 696 in 2016, ranked #7,738.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 709 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kiff surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kiff surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kiff 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 179 #11,346
1861 historical 188 #12,628
1881 historical 312 #9,451
1891 historical 389 #9,085
1901 historical 558 #7,458
1911 historical 709 #6,014
1997 modern 752 #6,869
1998 modern 804 #6,724
1999 modern 812 #6,717
2000 modern 766 #6,986
2001 modern 739 #7,063
2002 modern 750 #7,108
2003 modern 730 #7,148
2004 modern 736 #7,119
2005 modern 693 #7,406
2006 modern 670 #7,622
2007 modern 665 #7,735
2008 modern 671 #7,721
2009 modern 690 #7,729
2010 modern 699 #7,787
2011 modern 691 #7,762
2012 modern 684 #7,749
2013 modern 679 #7,929
2014 modern 691 #7,860
2015 modern 697 #7,736
2016 modern 696 #7,738

Geography

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Where Kiffs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Watford and Ilfracombe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Devon, Pembrokeshire and St Albans. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Watford Hertfordshire
4 Ilfracombe Devon
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Devon 006 North Devon
2 North Devon 013 North Devon
3 Pembrokeshire 009 Pembrokeshire
4 St Albans 005 St Albans
5 North Devon 003 North Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kiff

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kiff

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kiff, 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 Kiff surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kiff 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Kiff is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kiff is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kiff falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Kiff

The surname KIFF originates from the Anglo-Saxon and Old English languages, with roots traced back to England in the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cyf" or "cyfe," meaning a bundle or sheaf, possibly referring to an occupation or a descriptive name for someone who worked with bundles or sheaves.

The earliest recorded instances of the KIFF surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landholdings and properties across England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Kiffe," "Kyfie," and "Kyffe," reflecting the phonetic transcription of the time.

One notable bearer of the KIFF surname was Sir William Kiff (1460-1525), a prominent landowner and member of the gentry in Oxfordshire. He was known for his involvement in local affairs and served as a Justice of the Peace during the reign of King Henry VIII.

In the 16th century, the KIFF surname was also found in parts of Kent and Surrey, where records show individuals with variations like "Kyff" and "Kiffe." A notable example is John Kiff (1530-1602), a wealthy merchant and alderman in the city of London, who left a substantial legacy for charitable purposes.

The village of Kiff in Wiltshire, England, is believed to have been named after an early bearer of the KIFF surname, further solidifying the name's connection to the region. This place name is documented in records dating back to the 13th century.

Another notable figure with the KIFF surname was Sir Robert Kiff (1675-1748), a successful businessman and member of the East India Company. He amassed a considerable fortune through his trading activities and was known for his philanthropic endeavors, including the establishment of a school in his hometown.

As the KIFF surname spread across England and into other parts of the British Isles, it underwent various spelling variations, such as "Kiffe," "Kyffe," "Kiff," and "Kyff." These variations reflect the regional dialects and pronunciation differences of the time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kiff families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kiff 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. Hertfordshire leads with 149 Kiffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 70.80x.

County Total Index
Hertfordshire 149 70.80x
Middlesex 56 1.83x
Devon 42 6.61x
Glamorgan 24 4.51x
Cheshire 10 1.48x
Surrey 5 0.34x
Sussex 5 0.97x
Kent 4 0.38x
Gloucestershire 3 0.50x
Yorkshire 3 0.10x
Bedfordshire 2 1.27x
Brecknockshire 2 3.28x
Royal Navy 2 5.50x
Warwickshire 2 0.26x
Leicestershire 1 0.30x
Northumberland 1 0.22x
Somerset 1 0.20x
Staffordshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Watford in Hertfordshire leads with 30 Kiffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 183.82x.

Place Total Index
Watford 30 183.82x
Shenley 19 1366.91x
St Albans St Peter 19 267.61x
St Albans St Michael 18 765.96x
Rickmansworth 13 224.53x
St Albans 10 232.02x
Lynton 9 708.66x
Runcorn 9 57.92x
Clase 8 40.47x
Pilton 8 380.95x
Abbots Langley 7 223.64x
Eglwysilan 7 75.92x
Paddington London 7 6.24x
Harrow 6 128.48x
Norwood 6 85.96x
Tring 6 106.76x
Aldenham 5 261.78x
Brighton 5 4.81x
Camberwell 5 2.56x
Eastdown 5 1315.79x
Georgeham 5 625.00x
Islington London 5 1.69x
Northolt 5 961.54x
Tottenham 5 10.28x
Ynisymond 5 1136.36x
Broxbourne 4 95.92x
Dover St James 4 87.72x
East Barnet 4 95.92x
Exeter Alphington 4 341.88x
Hemel Hempstead 4 42.19x
Limehouse London 4 11.93x
Morthoe 4 888.89x
South Mimms 4 95.47x
St Pancras London 4 1.63x
Ilfracombe 3 45.87x
Little Amwell 3 405.41x
Llantrisant 3 22.39x
Aston 2 0.94x
Enfield 2 9.99x
Great Stanmore 2 145.99x
Kings Langley 2 130.72x
Llangattock 2 40.24x
Luton 2 7.31x
Royal Navy 2 6.43x
Wortley In Bramley 2 8.35x
Aberdare 1 2.74x
Bengeo 1 40.98x
Bradford 1 1.37x
Braunton 1 46.51x
Byker 1 4.45x
Carlton Curliew 1 1428.57x
Cheadle 1 7.77x
Countisbury 1 588.24x
Cranford 1 188.68x
Ealing 1 3.66x
Gloucester St Catherine 1 59.17x
Great Amwell 1 47.39x
Hammersmith London 1 1.33x
Harborne 1 3.03x
Harrow On The Hill 1 16.39x
Hatfield 1 23.42x
Leigh 1 285.71x
Ridge 1 238.10x
Sherwill 1 232.56x
St Albans St Stephen 1 54.35x
St Marylebone London 1 0.61x
Tormoham 1 3.72x
Walcot 1 3.82x
Westminster St James 1 3.19x
Willersey 1 243.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Sarah 12
Elizabeth 11
Eliza 7
Emma 7
Annie 6
Maria 6
Ann 4
Jane 4
Susan 4
Alice 3
Anne 3
Caroline 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Hannah 3
Kate 3
Lavinia 3
Margaret 3
Clara 2
Eleanor 2
Isabella 2
Rhoda 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Besie 1
Catherine 1
Cecilia 1
Elizth. 1
Ella 1
Ester 1
Esther 1
Francis 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Heppzibah 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Olive 1
Rosanna 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
Sophia 1
Susania 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 29
John 18
James 14
George 13
Thomas 13
Frederick 10
Joseph 8
Alfred 6
Arthur 6
Charles 6
Albert 4
Francis 3
Samuel 3
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Henery 2
Henry 2
Jesse 2
Richard 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Alexder. 1
Andrew 1
Anthony 1
Cha. 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Herbert 1
Horrace 1
Infant 1
Isaac 1
Jerry 1
Jonathan 1
Nathan 1
Optram 1
Oras 1
Owen 1
Robert 1

FAQ

Kiff surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kiff surname in 1881?

In 1881, 312 people were recorded with the Kiff surname. That placed it at #9,451 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kiff surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 696 in 2016. That gives Kiff a modern rank of #7,738.

What does the Kiff surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "chap" or "cleft" in Old English.

What does the Kiff map show?

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