UK surname
An English surname derived from a placename meaning "pebbly ford".
In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Pafford surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 52, ranked #34,780, down from #24,420 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Odiham, Yeovil and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pafford is 106 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 20.0%.
1881 census count
65
Ranked #24,420
Modern count
52
2016, ranked #34,780
Peak year
1911
106 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Pafford surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Pafford surname density by area, 1911 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 | 53 | #23,739 |
| 1861 | historical | 67 | #25,342 |
| 1881 | historical | 65 | #24,420 |
| 1891 | historical | 99 | #24,200 |
| 1901 | historical | 91 | #23,921 |
| 1911 | historical | 106 | #21,948 |
| 1997 | modern | 63 | #31,335 |
| 1998 | modern | 71 | #30,869 |
| 1999 | modern | 65 | #31,605 |
| 2000 | modern | 66 | #31,553 |
| 2001 | modern | 61 | #31,891 |
| 2002 | modern | 66 | #31,821 |
| 2003 | modern | 59 | #32,530 |
| 2004 | modern | 60 | #32,684 |
| 2005 | modern | 56 | #33,264 |
| 2006 | modern | 56 | #33,587 |
| 2007 | modern | 58 | #33,731 |
| 2008 | modern | 53 | #34,315 |
| 2009 | modern | 53 | #34,481 |
| 2010 | modern | 49 | #34,886 |
| 2011 | modern | 48 | #34,926 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 54 | #34,666 |
| 2014 | modern | 52 | #34,803 |
| 2015 | modern | 52 | #34,775 |
| 2016 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Odiham, Yeovil, London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner and Soberton. 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 | Odiham | Hampshire |
| 2 | Yeovil | Somerset |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner | Hampshire |
| 5 | Soberton | Hampshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Pafford 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 Pafford, 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 Pafford surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Pafford 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, Pafford 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 Pafford is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Pafford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Pafford has its origins in England, dating back to the late 13th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the place name Padford or Patford, which were small villages or hamlets in various regions of the country. The name is thought to have originated from the Old English words "paed" meaning path or track, and "ford" referring to a shallow river crossing.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pafford can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a Thomas de Patforde is mentioned. The surname also appears in various other historical records, such as the Feet of Fines for Staffordshire in 1426, which lists a John Pafford.
During the medieval period, the spelling of the name varied considerably, with variations such as Patford, Patforde, Padforde, and Padford appearing in various documents. This was common due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions at the time.
In the 16th century, a notable bearer of the name was Sir John Pafford (c.1510-1568), who served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Arundel in Sussex during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent figure with the Pafford surname was Thomas Pafford (1695-1767), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious treatises and served as the Rector of Huish Champflower in Somerset.
In the 18th century, a wealthy landowner named William Pafford (1725-1802) owned substantial estates in the county of Gloucestershire, and his family played a significant role in the local community.
During the 19th century, the Pafford name appeared in various parts of England, with branches of the family settling in counties such as Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Warwickshire. One notable individual from this period was John Pafford (1818-1892), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
While the Pafford surname is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history dating back several centuries, with numerous individuals bearing the name making their mark in various fields throughout the ages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pafford 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. Hampshire leads with 42 Paffords recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.84x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 42 | 31.84x |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | 3.96x |
| Somerset | 5 | 4.83x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.62x |
| Nottinghamshire | 4 | 4.61x |
| Herefordshire | 2 | 7.58x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.46x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 13.04x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.92x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.76x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 25 Paffords recorded in 1881 and an index of 96.71x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Portsea | 25 | 96.71x |
| Soberton | 6 | 2500.00x |
| Alverstoke | 5 | 104.82x |
| Gloucester St John Baptist | 5 | 609.76x |
| Clarborough | 4 | 615.38x |
| Hackney London | 3 | 8.31x |
| Hereford St Owen | 2 | 229.89x |
| Portsmouth | 2 | 65.79x |
| Preston Plucknett | 2 | 4000.00x |
| Romsey Extra | 2 | 256.41x |
| Yeovil | 2 | 95.24x |
| East Chinnock | 1 | 769.23x |
| Fisherton Anger | 1 | 95.24x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 9.76x |
| Hambledon | 1 | 222.22x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 6.31x |
| Hove | 1 | 21.01x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 15.24x |
| Shanklin | 1 | 256.41x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Pafford 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 Pafford 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 Pafford households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| General Serv | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Carpenter | 2 |
| Charwoman | 2 |
| Furniture Dealer | 2 |
| Boot Seller | 1 |
| Butchers Boy | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker Wife | 1 |
| Cabman | 1 |
| Carter Railway Goods Agent | 1 |
| Cook (Domestic) | 1 |
| Engine Cleaner | 1 |
| Engine Driver Railway | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| French Polisher | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Housekeeper ((Dom)) | 1 |
| Housekeeper In Charge (Dom Serv) | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Machinist (S) | 1 |
| Merchants Clerk | 1 |
| No Profession | 1 |
| Ord Seaman | 1 |
| Shoe Maker | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
| Wool & Leather Sorter (Stapler) | 1 |
| Yardsman (Ag Lab) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Pafford surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 52 in 2016. That gives Pafford a modern rank of #34,780.
An English surname derived from a placename meaning "pebbly ford".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Pafford 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.