NameCensus.

UK surname

Staff

An occupational surname referring to a bearer of a staff, such as a bailiff, constable, or surveyor.

In the 1881 census there were 763 people recorded with the Staff surname, ranking it #4,837 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,211, ranked #4,912, down from #4,837 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Reddenhall, Mendham (Stradbroke, Suffolk), Withersdale (Stradbroke, Suffolk), Metfield (Stradbroke, and Romford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Suffolk Coastal, Isle of Wight and Norwich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Staff is 1,302 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 58.7%.

1881 census count

763

Ranked #4,837

Modern count

1,211

2016, ranked #4,912

Peak year

2000

1,302 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Staff had 763 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,837 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,211 in 2016, ranked #4,912.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,080 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Staff surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Staff surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Staff 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 533 #4,713
1861 historical 583 #4,526
1881 historical 763 #4,837
1891 historical 863 #4,754
1901 historical 880 #5,221
1911 historical 1,080 #4,299
1997 modern 1,247 #4,567
1998 modern 1,295 #4,587
1999 modern 1,286 #4,644
2000 modern 1,302 #4,570
2001 modern 1,260 #4,617
2002 modern 1,301 #4,567
2003 modern 1,249 #4,642
2004 modern 1,249 #4,646
2005 modern 1,216 #4,708
2006 modern 1,205 #4,753
2007 modern 1,208 #4,787
2008 modern 1,232 #4,743
2009 modern 1,284 #4,662
2010 modern 1,298 #4,710
2011 modern 1,284 #4,700
2012 modern 1,240 #4,782
2013 modern 1,230 #4,893
2014 modern 1,228 #4,922
2015 modern 1,229 #4,867
2016 modern 1,211 #4,912

Geography

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Where Staffs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Reddenhall, Mendham (Stradbroke, Suffolk), Withersdale (Stradbroke, Suffolk), Metfield (Stradbroke,, Romford, Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John and Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Suffolk Coastal, Isle of Wight and Norwich. 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 3
2 Reddenhall, Mendham (Stradbroke, Suffolk), Withersdale (Stradbroke, Suffolk), Metfield (Stradbroke, Norfolk
3 Romford Essex
4 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk
5 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Suffolk Coastal 004 Suffolk Coastal
2 Isle of Wight 012 Isle of Wight
3 Norwich 002 Norwich
4 Norwich 010 Norwich
5 Norwich 005 Norwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Staff

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Staff

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Staff is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Staff is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Staff falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Staff

The surname STAFF originated in England during the medieval period, derived from the Old English word "stæf," meaning a staff or stick. It was likely an occupational name given to those who carried a staff as part of their profession, such as shepherds, pilgrims, or messengers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Staf" and "Stave." This suggests that the name was already well-established in various parts of England by the late 11th century.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname STAFF started appearing more frequently in historical records, often associated with specific locations or place names. For instance, the name "John atte Staf" was documented in Sussex in 1296, indicating a connection to a particular village or area known for its staffs or sticks.

Notable historical figures with the surname STAFF include John Staff (c. 1545-1615), an English composer and organist who served at the Chapel Royal during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I. Another prominent individual was Richard Staff (1678-1736), an English politician and Member of Parliament for the City of London from 1722 to 1727.

In the 18th century, the STAFF surname gained further recognition with the birth of George Staff (1781-1867), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Vice Admiral. Around the same time, John Staff (1777-1836), an English writer and clergyman, made his mark with his literary works.

Moving into the 19th century, the name STAFF continued to be represented in various fields, such as with William Staff (1832-1904), an English cricketer who played for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and was known for his exceptional batting skills.

While the surname STAFF has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval occupational name associated with carrying staffs or sticks, reflecting the rich history and evolution of English surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Staff families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Staff 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. Norfolk leads with 205 Staffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.96x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 205 17.96x
Suffolk 121 13.38x
Middlesex 104 1.40x
Surrey 50 1.38x
Essex 49 3.34x
Yorkshire 47 0.64x
Lincolnshire 35 2.95x
Kent 33 1.30x
Durham 26 1.18x
Lancashire 19 0.22x
Cheshire 13 0.79x
Staffordshire 11 0.44x
Sussex 10 0.80x
Hampshire 9 0.59x
Nottinghamshire 8 0.80x
Cornwall 5 0.59x
Hertfordshire 3 0.59x
Bedfordshire 2 0.52x
Huntingdonshire 2 1.36x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.22x
Channel Islands 1 0.45x
Derbyshire 1 0.09x
Glamorgan 1 0.08x
Isle of Man 1 0.73x
Northamptonshire 1 0.14x
Royal Navy 1 1.13x
Somerset 1 0.08x
Wiltshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Yarmouth in Norfolk leads with 37 Staffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.13x.

Place Total Index
Great Yarmouth 37 39.13x
Romford 28 120.90x
Great Grimsby 23 30.53x
Darsham 22 2000.00x
Islington London 22 3.06x
Lakenham 18 110.97x
Plumstead 18 21.32x
Bury St Edmunds St James 16 66.25x
Stalham 15 688.07x
Tottenham 15 12.69x
Lambeth 13 2.01x
Stoke Newington London 13 22.48x
Norwich St Martin At Oak 12 172.91x
Ovenden 12 36.65x
Pulham St Mary Magdalen 12 419.58x
Redenhall 12 270.88x
Bunwell 10 456.62x
Holy Trinity 10 5.65x
West Ham 10 3.09x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 10 68.54x
Mendham 9 468.75x
Bishopwearmouth 8 4.22x
Camberwell 8 1.69x
Dagenham 8 91.74x
Downham Market 8 102.04x
Walpole 8 800.00x
Battersea 7 2.56x
Holbeach 7 52.95x
Holmside 7 128.68x
Kensington London 7 1.70x
Pulham St Mary Virgin 7 334.93x
Sculcoates 7 6.00x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 4.69x
Aspall 6 1463.41x
Carleton Rode 6 304.57x
Fressingfield 6 206.19x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 6 71.51x
Norwich St John Timberhill 6 195.44x
Stoke Ash 6 759.49x
Weybread 6 346.82x
Withersdale 6 1500.00x
Brighton 5 1.98x
Burton Extra 5 34.79x
Chatham 5 7.18x
Church 5 40.19x
Coddenham 5 241.55x
Happisburgh 5 349.65x
Hucknall Torkard 5 19.71x
Ipswich St Clement 5 21.76x
Lowestoft 5 11.71x
Newhaven 5 49.16x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 5 67.48x
Norwich St Peter Mancroft 5 87.26x
Poplar London 5 3.57x
St Marylebone London 5 1.26x
Westoe 5 3.99x
Bethnal Green London 4 1.24x
Bowling 4 5.49x
Debenham 4 133.33x
Farnworth 4 7.58x
Heigham 4 6.53x
Hilgay 4 93.24x
Leeds 4 0.96x
Lingfield 4 56.74x
Norwich St Edmund 4 217.39x
Norwich St Martin At 4 207.25x
Skinningrove 4 88.69x
St Botolph Aldgate 4 39.49x
St Dunstan In West 4 251.57x
St Ives 4 24.32x
Starston 4 307.69x
Tamworth 4 29.85x
Upper Clatford 4 212.77x
East Ruston 3 177.51x
Framsden 3 150.00x
Hackney London 3 0.72x
Loddon 3 102.39x
Norwich St Stephen 3 28.63x
Paddington London 3 1.10x
St Anne Soho London 3 7.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 39
Elizabeth 26
Sarah 24
Eliza 23
Alice 14
Ellen 14
Maria 13
Jane 11
Margaret 10
Caroline 9
Charlotte 9
Emma 9
Ann 8
Hannah 8
Harriett 8
Annie 7
Harriet 7
Susan 7
Sophia 6
Kate 5
Rebecca 5
Rose 5
Anna 4
Emily 4
Lydia 4
Minnie 4
Susannah 4
Amelia 3
Fanny 3
Jessie 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Phoebe 3
Susanna 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Esther 2
Ethel 2
Eva 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Julia 2
Lucy 2
Betty 1
Eleanor 1
Elisa 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizh. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 47
John 45
George 40
Henry 27
James 24
Robert 23
Thomas 17
Charles 15
Arthur 12
Edward 12
Alfred 11
Frederick 11
Walter 10
Albert 6
Harry 5
Stephen 5
David 4
Herbert 4
Ernest 3
Joseph 3
Richard 3
Benjamin 2
Frank 2
Fredk. 2
Mary 2
Samuel 2
Alexander 1
Edgar 1
Eligah 1
Elijah 1
Elisha 1
Francis 1
Fredk 1
Fredk.E. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.F. 1
Ham 1
Harbert 1
Harley 1
Horace 1
Isaac 1
Jas. 1
Jonas 1
Lionel 1
Michl. 1
Nathaniel 1
Oswell 1
Phillip 1
Ralph 1
Zachariah 1

FAQ

Staff surname: questions and answers

How common was the Staff surname in 1881?

In 1881, 763 people were recorded with the Staff surname. That placed it at #4,837 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Staff surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,211 in 2016. That gives Staff a modern rank of #4,912.

What does the Staff surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a bearer of a staff, such as a bailiff, constable, or surveyor.

What does the Staff map show?

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