NameCensus.

UK surname

Roff

A variant spelling of the English surname Rough or Ruffe, referring to someone with a rough or ruddy complexion.

In the 1881 census there were 502 people recorded with the Roff surname, ranking it #6,759 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 721, ranked #7,538, down from #6,759 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Lambeth and St John Hampstead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Aylesbury Vale and Central Bedfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Roff is 827 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.6%.

1881 census count

502

Ranked #6,759

Modern count

721

2016, ranked #7,538

Peak year

1997

827 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Roff had 502 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,759 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 721 in 2016, ranked #7,538.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 758 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Roff surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Roff surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Roff 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 361 #6,554
1861 historical 262 #9,458
1881 historical 502 #6,759
1891 historical 577 #6,605
1901 historical 746 #5,965
1911 historical 758 #5,699
1997 modern 827 #6,372
1998 modern 811 #6,680
1999 modern 802 #6,775
2000 modern 825 #6,617
2001 modern 805 #6,624
2002 modern 820 #6,640
2003 modern 791 #6,710
2004 modern 777 #6,829
2005 modern 767 #6,830
2006 modern 768 #6,857
2007 modern 768 #6,924
2008 modern 761 #7,031
2009 modern 766 #7,125
2010 modern 772 #7,221
2011 modern 765 #7,191
2012 modern 723 #7,435
2013 modern 748 #7,361
2014 modern 758 #7,306
2015 modern 732 #7,463
2016 modern 721 #7,538

Geography

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Where Roffs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Lambeth, St John Hampstead and Maidstone, Linton, Loddington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Aylesbury Vale, Central Bedfordshire, Cotswold and Sevenoaks. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 St John Hampstead London (North Districts)
5 Maidstone, Linton, Loddington Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 052 Wiltshire
2 Aylesbury Vale 006 Aylesbury Vale
3 Central Bedfordshire 021 Central Bedfordshire
4 Cotswold 004 Cotswold
5 Sevenoaks 010 Sevenoaks

Forenames

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First names often paired with Roff

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Roff

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Roff 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

Roff 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

Roff falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Roff

The surname Roff has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hrocc," which means "rook" or "crow." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a rookery or a place frequented by crows.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Rochefeld." This entry refers to a place in Kent, indicating that the name may have originated as a locational surname, describing someone who hailed from a particular place.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various forms, such as "Roc," "Rok," and "Roke." These variations reflect the evolving spelling conventions of the time. It is worth noting that the surname Roff is considered a later spelling variant, which emerged in the 16th century.

One notable bearer of the name was Sir Thomas Roff, a prominent English judge who lived in the 15th century (c. 1420-1490). He served as the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas during the reign of King Edward IV.

Another historical figure was John Roff, a successful merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 16th century (c. 1530-1597). He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed to the establishment of several charitable institutions.

In the 17th century, the name appears in connection with the settlement of the American colonies. William Roff (c. 1620-1685) was one of the early settlers in Massachusetts Bay Colony and is considered one of the founding families of the town of Newbury.

Moving forward to the 18th century, we find Elizabeth Roff (1725-1805), an English writer and poet who gained recognition for her works during her lifetime. Her poetry collections were widely circulated and praised for their literary merit.

Another notable bearer of the name was Admiral Sir Thomas Roff (1760-1832), a distinguished officer in the British Royal Navy. He played a significant role in several naval battles during the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded numerous honors for his service.

Throughout its history, the surname Roff has been associated with various locations in England, particularly in the counties of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, where it has deep roots. While the name has evolved in its spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, it remains a distinctive part of English surname heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Roff families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Roff 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. Middlesex leads with 125 Roffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.56x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 125 2.56x
Surrey 65 2.73x
Kent 54 3.24x
Hampshire 37 3.69x
Gloucestershire 31 3.23x
Worcestershire 25 3.92x
Wiltshire 17 3.93x
Bedfordshire 14 5.53x
Lancashire 13 0.22x
Essex 12 1.24x
Suffolk 12 2.02x
Yorkshire 12 0.25x
Oxfordshire 9 2.98x
Dorset 8 2.49x
Leicestershire 8 1.48x
Northamptonshire 8 1.74x
Staffordshire 8 0.48x
Devon 7 0.69x
Monmouthshire 6 1.70x
Berkshire 5 1.36x
Sussex 5 0.61x
Durham 3 0.21x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.46x
Somerset 3 0.38x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.68x
Herefordshire 2 1.00x
Norfolk 2 0.27x
Warwickshire 2 0.16x
Derbyshire 1 0.13x
Hertfordshire 1 0.30x
Royal Navy 1 1.72x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 29 Roffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.66x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 29 13.66x
Croydon 26 19.67x
Maidstone 25 50.33x
Sopley 21 1521.74x
Hampstead London 15 19.71x
Cheltenham 14 18.93x
Lambeth 13 3.05x
Colchester St Botolph 12 146.16x
Bermondsey 11 7.56x
Kensington London 11 4.05x
Kings Norton 11 19.22x
Bromley London 10 9.30x
Hackney London 10 3.65x
Keighley 10 19.37x
St Martin In Fields 10 34.18x
Beccles 9 93.95x
Bedford St Paul 9 51.84x
Christchurch 8 36.83x
Great Malvern 8 60.06x
Parkstone 8 213.90x
St Pancras London 8 2.03x
Towcester 8 168.78x
Aylestone 7 163.93x
Chelsea London 7 4.75x
Deptford St Paul 7 5.44x
Headington 7 149.25x
Linton 7 479.45x
Portsea 7 3.57x
East Stonehouse 6 29.94x
Islington London 6 1.27x
Stow On The Wold 6 281.69x
Cheetham 5 11.56x
Marlborough St Mary Virgin 5 163.93x
Walton On Hill 5 15.91x
West Farleigh 5 781.25x
Broadwater 4 21.16x
Camberwell 4 1.28x
Little Bedwyn 4 476.19x
Mathon 4 213.90x
Mile End Old Town 4 5.19x
Skenfrith 4 380.95x
St Mary Le Strand 4 258.06x
Bristol St James St Paul 3 9.39x
Bushbury 3 101.35x
Clerkenwell London 3 2.60x
Coberley 3 545.45x
Downton 3 53.00x
Gorleston 3 19.84x
Horsley 3 70.59x
West Herrington 3 58.94x
Wolverhampton 3 2.37x
Ampthill 2 52.91x
Bedford St Peter 2 30.44x
Brenchley 2 33.50x
Coulsdon 2 46.19x
Garway 2 224.72x
Ivinghoe 2 86.58x
Kingston On Thames 2 3.50x
Marlborough St Peter St 2 90.09x
Newington 2 1.11x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.17x
Preshute 2 75.19x
Rochester St Margaret 2 11.38x
St Marylebone London 2 0.77x
Wandsworth 2 4.25x
West Derby 2 1.18x
Ashwick 1 78.74x
Brighton 1 0.60x
Clutton 1 58.48x
Derby St Peter 1 4.10x
Hammersmith London 1 0.83x
Isleworth 1 4.60x
Lenton 1 6.44x
Lidford 1 21.88x
Paddington London 1 0.56x
Poplar London 1 1.08x
Richmond 1 13.21x
Royal Navy 1 2.01x
St George Hanover 1 1.57x
Trelleck Grange 1 476.19x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 38
George 35
Thomas 17
John 16
Henry 12
Arthur 10
Robert 10
Charles 9
Frederick 9
Harry 8
Albert 7
Walter 7
Alfred 6
James 6
Edward 5
Edwin 4
Joseph 4
Samuel 3
Wm. 3
Bertie 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Richard 2
Sidney 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Archibald 1
Barron 1
Charley 1
Charlie 1
Chas 1
Daniel 1
Earnest 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Elizabeth 1
Ernest 1
Fred.Wm. 1
Grindle 1
Hebbert 1
Jabez 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Josiah 1
Lionel 1
Mark 1
Robt. 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1
Wm.W. 1

FAQ

Roff surname: questions and answers

How common was the Roff surname in 1881?

In 1881, 502 people were recorded with the Roff surname. That placed it at #6,759 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Roff surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 721 in 2016. That gives Roff a modern rank of #7,538.

What does the Roff surname mean?

A variant spelling of the English surname Rough or Ruffe, referring to someone with a rough or ruddy complexion.

What does the Roff map show?

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