NameCensus.

UK surname

Puffett

An English surname referring to a person of plump or stout build.

In the 1881 census there were 174 people recorded with the Puffett surname, ranking it #14,042 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 310, ranked #14,406, down from #14,042 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Mynyddyslwyn, Tubney and Swindon, Lyddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Berkshire, Swindon and Basildon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Puffett is 333 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 78.2%.

1881 census count

174

Ranked #14,042

Modern count

310

2016, ranked #14,406

Peak year

2002

333 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Puffett had 174 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,042 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 310 in 2016, ranked #14,406.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 261 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Puffett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Puffett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Puffett 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 66 #21,617
1861 historical 95 #21,768
1881 historical 174 #14,042
1891 historical 154 #18,004
1901 historical 218 #14,332
1911 historical 261 #12,526
1997 modern 294 #13,707
1998 modern 308 #13,661
1999 modern 317 #13,473
2000 modern 324 #13,243
2001 modern 322 #13,098
2002 modern 333 #13,062
2003 modern 321 #13,218
2004 modern 324 #13,197
2005 modern 309 #13,552
2006 modern 304 #13,797
2007 modern 307 #13,822
2008 modern 298 #14,206
2009 modern 313 #14,015
2010 modern 322 #14,034
2011 modern 325 #13,808
2012 modern 305 #14,357
2013 modern 314 #14,273
2014 modern 315 #14,334
2015 modern 311 #14,369
2016 modern 310 #14,406

Geography

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Where Puffetts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Mynyddyslwyn, Tubney, Swindon, Lyddington, London parishes and Broadwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Berkshire, Swindon and Basildon. 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 Mynyddyslwyn Monmouthshire
2 Tubney Berkshire
3 Swindon, Lyddington Wiltshire
4 London parishes London 1
5 Broadwell Oxfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Berkshire 002 West Berkshire
2 Swindon 005 Swindon
3 Basildon 022 Basildon
4 Swindon 004 Swindon
5 Swindon 009 Swindon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Puffett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Puffett

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

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Puffett is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Puffett is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Puffett 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 Puffett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Puffett

The surname Puffett is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the late medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "puffe," which referred to a small or plump person. The suffix "-ett" was often added to surnames during this time, indicating a diminutive form or a smaller version of something.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Puffett can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, where a John Puffett is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use and established in this region of southern England by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the Puffett surname appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a collection of records related to land ownership and taxation. This further solidifies the presence of the name in different parts of England during the medieval era.

During the 16th century, there are records of a William Puffett, born in 1530 in Wiltshire, who worked as a merchant and landowner. His grandson, also named William Puffett (1585-1661), served as a member of the British Parliament for the borough of Wootton Bassett.

Another notable figure was Sir Richard Puffett (1620-1689), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire. He was knighted by King Charles II in recognition of his support during the English Civil War.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure bearing the Puffett surname was Thomas Puffett (1732-1806), a renowned architect who designed several churches and notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

The Puffett surname has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Puffett's Green in Hampshire and Puffett's Hill in Buckinghamshire, which may have derived from individuals or families with this last name who resided in or owned land in those areas.

While the name Puffett is not as common today as it once was, it remains a part of English surname history, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period and being associated with various notable individuals and locations throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Puffett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Puffett 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. Oxfordshire leads with 55 Puffetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.47x.

County Total Index
Oxfordshire 55 52.47x
Gloucestershire 28 8.41x
Essex 26 7.76x
Middlesex 18 1.06x
Somerset 10 3.66x
Monmouthshire 8 6.52x
Yorkshire 8 0.48x
Wiltshire 5 3.33x
Northamptonshire 4 2.51x
Warwickshire 3 0.70x
Berkshire 2 1.57x
Hampshire 2 0.57x
Kent 2 0.35x
Flintshire 1 2.19x
Shropshire 1 0.68x
Surrey 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Filkins in Oxfordshire leads with 22 Puffetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 6470.59x.

Place Total Index
Filkins 22 6470.59x
Aldsworth 9 4090.91x
Ascott Under Wychwood 9 3913.04x
High Easter 8 1739.13x
Rogerstone 8 1052.63x
Milton Under Wychwood 7 1428.57x
Upper Slaughter 7 4666.67x
Wanstead 7 119.25x
Hunslet 6 22.87x
North Cheriton 6 4285.71x
Hammersmith London 5 11.96x
Rodbourne Cheney 5 431.03x
Romford 5 94.34x
St Pancras London 5 3.66x
Taynton 5 2631.58x
Farthinghoe 4 1904.76x
Good Easter 4 1333.33x
Quenington 4 1818.18x
Stoke Trister 4 1666.67x
Whitechapel London 4 23.91x
Broughton Poggs 3 3750.00x
Hatherop 3 1500.00x
Neithrop 3 85.23x
Paddington London 3 4.81x
Edgbaston 2 15.07x
Fulbrook 2 1000.00x
Leafield 2 487.80x
Lee 2 23.78x
Skelton In Guisbrough 2 43.96x
St Helens 2 79.05x
Bampton 1 123.46x
Birmingham 1 0.70x
Bobbingworth 1 555.56x
Cam 1 98.04x
Camberwell 1 0.92x
Cheltenham 1 3.89x
Cumnor 1 169.49x
Eastleach Turville 1 400.00x
Fairford 1 112.36x
Great Faringdon 1 54.64x
Iffley 1 113.64x
Leyton Low 1 14.68x
Mold Leeswood 1 97.09x
Munslow 1 285.71x
St Marylebone London 1 1.10x
Withington 1 277.78x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Jane 8
Emily 5
Elizabeth 4
Annie 3
Lucy 3
Martha 3
Sarah 3
Ann 2
Anne 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Abigail 1
Ada 1
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Angelina 1
Bertha 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Dinah 1
Eleanor 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Florance 1
Genlima 1
Gertrude 1
Harriett 1
Henrietta 1
Lilian 1
Lilley 1
Mabel 1
Mercy 1
Mirriam 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Selina 1
Susanah 1
Theodasia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 14
John 9
Thomas 9
George 6
James 5
Charles 3
Robert 3
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Frederick 2
Henry 2
Jacob 2
Joseph 2
Caleb 1
Edwin 1
Eli 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Harlan 1
Harry 1
Mark 1
Ner 1
Percy 1
Reubin 1
Samuel 1
W. 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Puffett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Puffett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 174 people were recorded with the Puffett surname. That placed it at #14,042 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Puffett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 310 in 2016. That gives Puffett a modern rank of #14,406.

What does the Puffett surname mean?

An English surname referring to a person of plump or stout build.

What does the Puffett map show?

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