UK surname
Possibly an Americanized spelling of the Italian surname Scafé, meaning a shed or shelter.
In the 1881 census there were 87 people recorded with the Scafe surname, ranking it #21,334 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 46, ranked #35,126, down from #21,334 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bury, Batley and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Scafe is 144 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.1%.
1881 census count
87
Ranked #21,334
Modern count
46
2016, ranked #35,126
Peak year
1851
144 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Scafe surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Scafe surname density by area, 1851 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 | 144 | #13,277 |
| 1861 | historical | 91 | #22,206 |
| 1881 | historical | 87 | #21,334 |
| 1891 | historical | 58 | #29,439 |
| 1901 | historical | 45 | #29,156 |
| 1911 | historical | 36 | #29,370 |
| 1997 | modern | 31 | #34,582 |
| 1998 | modern | 32 | #34,633 |
| 1999 | modern | 35 | #34,418 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 31 | #34,648 |
| 2002 | modern | 31 | #34,866 |
| 2003 | modern | 34 | #34,681 |
| 2004 | modern | 36 | #34,717 |
| 2005 | modern | 41 | #34,478 |
| 2006 | modern | 41 | #34,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 38 | #35,153 |
| 2008 | modern | 38 | #35,262 |
| 2009 | modern | 42 | #35,148 |
| 2010 | modern | 44 | #35,183 |
| 2011 | modern | 45 | #35,112 |
| 2012 | modern | 48 | #34,938 |
| 2013 | modern | 49 | #34,952 |
| 2014 | modern | 48 | #35,041 |
| 2015 | modern | 46 | #35,109 |
| 2016 | modern | 46 | #35,126 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bury, Batley, St Marylebone, Almondbury and Hawnby. 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 | Bury | Lancashire |
| 2 | Batley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Almondbury | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Hawnby | Yorkshire, North Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Scafe 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 Scafe, 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 Scafe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Scafe 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, Scafe 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 Scafe is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Scafe, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "SCAFE" has its origins in England, dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "scæfe," meaning a bundle or sheaf of grain. This suggests that the name may have been originally given as an occupational name to someone who worked with bundles of crops, such as a farmer or a miller.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Walsall, Staffordshire, where a John Scafe was listed in 1587. It is possible that the name was initially more prevalent in the Midlands region of England, particularly around Staffordshire and Warwickshire.
In the 17th century, the name appeared in various spellings, including "Scaife," "Scayfe," and "Scafe." These variations were likely due to the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation during that time period.
A notable figure bearing the surname was William Scafe (1618-1689), an English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Derby in the Church of England. He was known for his work in promoting education and establishing schools in the region.
Another historical figure was Robert Scafe (1715-1788), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the 18th century. He was involved in several significant naval battles and rose to the rank of Captain.
In the 19th century, the name gained some prominence in the world of literature with the poet and author John Scafe (1824-1891). Born in Yorkshire, he published several collections of poetry and prose works, many of which focused on themes of nature and rural life.
Another notable person was Sir Edward Scafe (1856-1934), a British businessman and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the steel industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He served as the chairman of several major steel companies and was knighted for his contributions to industry.
Despite its English origins, the surname "SCAFE" has also been found in other parts of the world, likely due to migration and immigration patterns over the centuries. However, its roots can be traced back to the historical regions of England mentioned above.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Scafe 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. Yorkshire leads with 48 Scafes recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.64x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 48 | 5.64x |
| Lancashire | 11 | 1.08x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 3.41x |
| Surrey | 6 | 1.43x |
| Ayrshire | 4 | 6.23x |
| Cumberland | 4 | 5.41x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 1.49x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.23x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.69x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.34x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.73x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.78x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kirkburton in Yorkshire leads with 12 Scafes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1200.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkburton | 12 | 1200.00x |
| Lepton | 9 | 1011.24x |
| Elton | 7 | 198.86x |
| Alverstoke | 6 | 94.19x |
| Bury | 4 | 34.39x |
| Kilmarnock | 4 | 52.29x |
| Kirkleavington | 4 | 6666.67x |
| Headingley Cum Burley | 3 | 54.84x |
| Hunslet | 3 | 22.62x |
| Sheffield | 3 | 11.08x |
| Southwark St John | 3 | 114.07x |
| Wetheral | 3 | 306.12x |
| Armitage | 2 | 526.32x |
| Bradford | 2 | 9.71x |
| Farnley Tyas | 2 | 1111.11x |
| Gomersal | 2 | 50.38x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 2.67x |
| Bow London | 1 | 9.15x |
| Bramley In Bramley | 1 | 30.67x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 1 | 6.00x |
| Clapham | 1 | 9.32x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 4.94x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 4.43x |
| Eckington | 1 | 30.67x |
| Farmanby | 1 | 666.67x |
| Leeds | 1 | 2.08x |
| Lindley Cum Quarmby | 1 | 46.51x |
| Morley | 1 | 22.62x |
| Norton | 1 | 90.09x |
| Plumpton Wall | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Southowram | 1 | 38.46x |
| Stainton | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Upper Stonebeck | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Westgate | 1 | 12.64x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Scafe 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 Scafe 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 Scafe households.
FAQ
In 1881, 87 people were recorded with the Scafe surname. That placed it at #21,334 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 46 in 2016. That gives Scafe a modern rank of #35,126.
Possibly an Americanized spelling of the Italian surname Scafé, meaning a shed or shelter.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Scafe 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.