UK surname

Saffer

A habitational surname referring to someone from the town of Saffron Walden in Essex, England.

In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Saffer surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 165, ranked #22,234, up from #31,301 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Cerney, North, Halifax and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Hertsmere and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Saffer is 171 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 931.3%.

1881 census count

Ranked #31,301

Modern count

165

2016, ranked #22,234

Peak year

2011

171 bearers

Map years

1911 to 2016

Key insights

• Saffer had 16 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,301 surname in that year.
• The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016, ranked #22,234.
• Within the historical census years, the highest count was 102 in 1911.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Map

Saffer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Saffer surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Saffer 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	3	#32,890
1861	historical	19	#31,470
1881	historical	16	#31,301
1891	historical	29	#31,963
1901	historical	52	#28,377
1911	historical	102	#22,465
1997	modern	144	#21,660
1998	modern	150	#21,665
1999	modern	160	#20,943
2000	modern	159	#20,975
2001	modern	154	#21,122
2002	modern	157	#21,261
2003	modern	152	#21,486
2004	modern	155	#21,352
2005	modern	142	#22,577
2006	modern	147	#22,221
2007	modern	151	#22,120
2008	modern	144	#23,037
2009	modern	151	#22,816
2010	modern	159	#22,577
2011	modern	171	#21,337
2012	modern	163	#21,989
2013	modern	161	#22,521
2014	modern	164	#22,445
2015	modern	164	#22,325
2016	modern	165	#22,234

Geography

Where Saffers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Cerney, North, Halifax, Govan Combination, Manchester and Swansea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Hertsmere and Brent. 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	Cerney, North	Gloucestershire
2	Halifax	Yorkshire, West Riding
3	Govan Combination	Lanark
4	Manchester	Lancashire
5	Swansea	Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank	Area	District
1	Leeds 015	Leeds
2	Leeds 012	Leeds
3	Hertsmere 013	Hertsmere
4	Brent 030	Brent
5	Leeds 023	Leeds

Forenames

First names often paired with Saffer

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

Historical female names

Annie Fanny Sarah Mary Esther Leah Rachel Jane Betsy Eva

Historical male names

Harry Hyman Solomon Isaac Jacob Joe John Joseph Nathan Abraham

Recent female names

Jessica Alexandra Emma Jennifer Helen Abigail Clara Jayme Jane Danielle

Recent male names

Michael Brian Steven Andrew Gregory Paul Richard Robert Jamie Daniel

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Saffer

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Saffer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Saffer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Saffer is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Saffer 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.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Saffer falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Saffer 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.

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: White - Other

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Saffer

The surname Saffer originated in Germany, specifically in the regions of Bavaria and Franconia, during the late medieval period. It is derived from the Old German word "safar," which means "traveler" or "seeker." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon someone who traveled frequently or ventured into unknown territories.

The earliest recorded instances of the Saffer surname can be traced back to the 14th century. In a manuscript dated 1367, a scribe named Johannes Saffer is mentioned as a witness to a legal transaction in the town of Nuremberg. This document provides one of the earliest written records of the name's existence.

Another notable historical reference to the Saffer name can be found in the Kirchenbücher (church records) of the village of Obernzenn, near Würzburg, from the 16th century. These records document the births, marriages, and deaths of several families bearing the Saffer surname, indicating their presence in the region during that time.

In the 17th century, a prominent figure named Hans Saffer (1620-1687) emerged as a respected merchant and landowner in the city of Bamberg. His success and influence contributed to the spread and recognition of the Saffer name throughout the region.

Another historically significant individual was Johann Georg Saffer (1715-1782), a renowned clockmaker from Nuremberg. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after by nobility and wealthy patrons across Europe, further elevating the reputation of the Saffer name.

During the 19th century, the Saffer surname gained international recognition through the accomplishments of Wilhelm Saffer (1825-1891), a German-born architect and civil engineer. He was responsible for designing several iconic structures, including the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) in Frankfurt, which remains an architectural marvel to this day.

It is worth noting that variations in spelling, such as Saffar, Safar, and Saefer, have been documented throughout history, likely due to regional dialects and scribal variations. Additionally, the name may have been associated with certain place names, such as Safferbach or Safferstadt, although the direct connections are not entirely clear.

Overall, the surname Saffer has a rich history rooted in the German regions of Bavaria and Franconia, with its origins dating back to the medieval era. Over the centuries, individuals bearing this name have made notable contributions to various fields, including commerce, craftsmanship, architecture, and engineering, solidifying the Saffer legacy in the annals of history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Saffer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Saffer 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. Yorkshire leads with 15 Saffers recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.70x.

County	Total	Frequency	Index
Yorkshire	15	0.00%	9.70x
Lanarkshire	1	0.00%	1.98x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 15 Saffers recorded in 1881 and an index of 171.82x.

Place	Total	Frequency	Index
Leeds	15	0.01%	171.82x
Govan	1	0.00%	8.01x

Top female names

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

Name	Count
Anne	1
Annie	1
Julia	1
Leah	1
Lie	1
Rachel	1

Top male names

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

Name	Count
Abraham	1
Harry	1
Hyman	1
Hymon	1
Maurice	1
Michael	1
Morris	1
Nathan	1
Solomon	1

Top occupations

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 Saffer households.

Occupation	Count
Scholar	4
Dressmaker	2
Tailor	2
Machine Hand Tailor	1
Master Tailor	1
Tailoress Button Hole Hand	1

FAQ

Saffer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Saffer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Saffer surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Saffer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016. That gives Saffer a modern rank of #22,234.

What does the Saffer surname mean?