NameCensus.

UK surname

Maffei

Derived from a nickname meaning "jaw" or "jowls," likely referring to someone with a prominent or distinctive jawline.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wyre Forest, Tunbridge Wells and Hillingdon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Maffei is 145 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

144

2016, ranked #24,390

Peak year

2013

145 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 144 in 2016, ranked #24,390.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities.

Maffei surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Maffei surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Maffei 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
1861 historical 4 #33,628
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 113 #25,106
1998 modern 105 #26,822
1999 modern 115 #25,620
2000 modern 122 #24,698
2001 modern 119 #24,733
2002 modern 121 #24,984
2003 modern 116 #25,415
2004 modern 122 #24,812
2005 modern 132 #23,623
2006 modern 127 #24,384
2007 modern 127 #24,748
2008 modern 130 #24,695
2009 modern 137 #24,371
2010 modern 138 #24,801
2011 modern 138 #24,615
2012 modern 141 #24,258
2013 modern 145 #24,207
2014 modern 142 #24,734
2015 modern 144 #24,369
2016 modern 144 #24,390

Geography

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Where Maffeis 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 Wyre Forest, Tunbridge Wells and Hillingdon. 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 Wyre Forest 007 Wyre Forest
2 Wyre Forest 004 Wyre Forest
3 Tunbridge Wells 011 Tunbridge Wells
4 Wyre Forest 003 Wyre Forest
5 Hillingdon 015 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Maffei

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Maffei

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

Baseline UK

Group

Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities

Nationally, the Maffei surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Maffei household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Single-person households are common in these neighbourhoods, and these residents are typically divorced rather than never married. A high proportion of residents were born outside the UK in the EU. There are many young adults, some with young children, but relatively few residents are of normal retirement age or over. Although levels of identification with ethnic minorities are in line with the Supergroup average, individuals identifying with Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is more common than average. High long-term disability rates are observed, and unpaid care is more common than in the rest of the Group. The predominant housing types are terraced houses and flats, which are typically part of the social rented sector. This Group is commonly found in coastal areas and (present-day or former) industrial towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Maffei is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Maffei 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

Maffei falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Maffei 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Maffei

The surname Maffei has its roots in Italy, originating from the Latin name Matthaeus. It is believed to have derived from the Hebrew name "Mattityahu," meaning "gift of God." The name Maffei can be traced back to the 12th century in the regions of Tuscany and Lombardy.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Maffei surname is found in a manuscript from the city of Verona, dated around 1190. This document mentions a nobleman named Maffeo Maffei, who was a prominent figure in the local government at the time.

In the 13th century, the Maffei family gained significant influence and wealth in the city of Bergamo, located in the region of Lombardy. The family's coat of arms, featuring three golden stars on a blue field, can still be seen on several historic buildings in the city.

During the Renaissance period, several notable individuals bore the Maffei surname. Raffaello Maffei (1451-1522) was a renowned humanist and scholar from Volterra, who wrote extensively on the Italian language and literature. Another prominent figure was Bernardino Maffei (1514-1549), a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, who played a crucial role in the Council of Trent.

In the 17th century, Giovanni Pietro Maffei (1535-1603), a mathematician and astronomer from Bergamo, made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. His work on the theory of the Moon's motion was highly regarded by his contemporaries.

The 18th century saw the rise of Scipione Maffei (1675-1755), a renowned antiquarian, writer, and art critic from Verona. He is best known for his treatise on ancient amphitheaters, which helped shape the study of Roman architecture.

Another notable bearer of the Maffei surname was Andrea Maffei (1798-1885), an Italian patriot and politician from Molise. He played a significant role in the unification of Italy and served as a member of the Italian Parliament.

Throughout history, the Maffei surname has been associated with various place names and geographical locations, such as the town of Maffei in the province of Modena, and the village of Maffei in the province of Salerno.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Maffei surname: questions and answers

How common is the Maffei surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 144 in 2016. That gives Maffei a modern rank of #24,390.

What does the Maffei surname mean?

Derived from a nickname meaning "jaw" or "jowls," likely referring to someone with a prominent or distinctive jawline.

What does the Maffei map show?

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