NameCensus.

UK surname

Taaffe

An Irish surname derived from Taff, a name of unclear origin, potentially relating to a river or saint.

In the 1881 census there were 151 people recorded with the Taaffe surname, ranking it #15,419 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 411, ranked #11,654, up from #15,419 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Northfield, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wirral, Conwy and Stoke-on-Trent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Taaffe is 429 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 172.2%.

1881 census count

151

Ranked #15,419

Modern count

411

2016, ranked #11,654

Peak year

2010

429 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Taaffe had 151 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,419 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 411 in 2016, ranked #11,654.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 216 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Taaffe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Taaffe surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Taaffe 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 61 #22,412
1861 historical 54 #27,127
1881 historical 151 #15,419
1891 historical 161 #17,473
1901 historical 183 #15,996
1911 historical 216 #14,240
1997 modern 367 #11,751
1998 modern 414 #11,073
1999 modern 408 #11,288
2000 modern 417 #11,068
2001 modern 411 #11,003
2002 modern 412 #11,192
2003 modern 403 #11,210
2004 modern 391 #11,468
2005 modern 393 #11,335
2006 modern 391 #11,432
2007 modern 406 #11,249
2008 modern 398 #11,525
2009 modern 418 #11,309
2010 modern 429 #11,324
2011 modern 429 #11,197
2012 modern 418 #11,318
2013 modern 426 #11,350
2014 modern 422 #11,516
2015 modern 409 #11,713
2016 modern 411 #11,654

Geography

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Where Taaffes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Northfield, London parishes, Manchester, Liverpool and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wirral, Conwy and Stoke-on-Trent. 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 Northfield Worcestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 West Derby Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wirral 027 Wirral
2 Conwy 005 Conwy
3 Wirral 021 Wirral
4 Stoke-on-Trent 020 Stoke-on-Trent
5 Stoke-on-Trent 014 Stoke-on-Trent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Taaffe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Taaffe

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Taaffe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Taaffe household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Taaffe 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

Taaffe 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

Taaffe falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Taaffe 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Taaffe

The surname Taaffe is believed to have originated in Ireland. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "táthfadh," which means "to kindle" or "to light a fire." This name likely referred to an occupation or a role related to lighting fires or tending hearths.

The earliest recorded instances of the Taaffe surname date back to the 12th century in County Louth, Ireland. The name is thought to have been initially associated with the Barony of Gallen in County Mayo, where the Taaffe family held lands and wielded significant influence.

One of the earliest documented references to the Taaffe name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention a notable figure named Hugh Taaffe, who was a distinguished military leader and Chief of the Name during the 16th century.

Throughout history, several individuals with the Taaffe surname have achieved prominence. One notable example is Theobald Taaffe (c. 1590-1677), an Irish Catholic soldier and landowner who fought for the Spanish Crown during the Thirty Years' War. He rose to the rank of Field Marshal and was granted the titles of Count of Carlingford and Earl of Carlingford by King Philip IV of Spain.

Another prominent figure was Nicholas Taaffe (c. 1677-1769), an Irish Catholic landowner and politician who served as the 6th Viscount Taaffe of Corren. He was a member of the Irish House of Lords and played a significant role in Irish politics during the 18th century.

In the 19th century, John Taaffe (1786-1856), an Irish-born Australian landowner and politician, made his mark. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council and played a significant role in the early development of the colony.

The Taaffe surname has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Taaffe's Castle in County Louth and Taaffe's Rock in County Mayo. These locations likely derived their names from the Taaffe family's historical presence and landholdings in those areas.

While the Taaffe surname originated in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and migration. However, its roots can be traced back to the ancient Irish Gaelic language and the occupation or role of tending fires.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Taaffe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Taaffe 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. Lancashire leads with 31 Taaffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.87x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 31 1.87x
Yorkshire 19 1.37x
Middlesex 16 1.15x
Warwickshire 13 3.70x
Worcestershire 10 5.49x
Essex 9 3.27x
Cheshire 8 2.60x
Surrey 8 1.18x
Devon 5 1.72x
Lanarkshire 5 1.11x
Durham 4 0.96x
Renfrewshire 4 3.70x
Denbighshire 3 5.69x
Kent 3 0.63x
Sussex 3 1.28x
Cumberland 1 0.83x
Hampshire 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 13 Taaffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.42x.

Place Total Index
Aston 13 13.42x
Liverpool 13 12.93x
Bradford 11 32.88x
West Ham 9 14.81x
Northfield 8 231.21x
Sheffield 8 18.18x
Cheadle 7 119.05x
Huyton With Roby 6 309.28x
St Anne Soho London 6 75.38x
Barony 5 4.38x
Camberwell 4 4.49x
Everton 4 7.58x
Port Glasgow 4 76.48x
Brighton 3 6.32x
Manchester 3 4.03x
Newington 3 5.82x
Pickhill 3 2142.86x
Plymouth St Andrew 3 13.42x
St Marylebone London 3 4.03x
St Pancras London 3 2.67x
Charlton 2 63.29x
Gateshead 2 6.44x
Preston 2 4.52x
St George Hanover 2 10.99x
Stoke Damerel 2 9.84x
Westminster St James 2 13.95x
Worcester St Andrew 2 322.58x
Aighton Bailey 1 125.00x
Bromborough 1 156.25x
Chislehurst 1 39.22x
Conside Knitsley 1 30.96x
Heworth 1 12.22x
Holdenhurst 1 13.33x
Richmond 1 10.50x
Salford 1 2.05x
West Derby 1 2.07x
Whitehaven 1 15.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Margaret 7
Jane 5
Sarah 5
Elizabeth 4
Ann 3
Catherine 3
Eleanor 2
Ellen 2
Isabella 2
Julia 2
A.W. 1
Alice 1
Annie 1
Bridget 1
Catharine 1
E.L. 1
Eliza 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Johanna 1
Judith 1
Louisa 1
M.R. 1
Mabel 1
Margt. 1
Maud 1
Maude 1
Morinia 1
Rose 1
S.A. 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 9
Joseph 6
James 5
Charles 4
Richard 4
Thomas 4
Francis 3
Patrick 3
Anthony 2
Bernard 2
George 2
Peter 2
William 2
Wm. 2
F.A. 1
F.J. 1
Henery 1
Herbet 1
Oswald 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Theobold 1
Thos. 1
Wilfrid 1

FAQ

Taaffe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Taaffe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 151 people were recorded with the Taaffe surname. That placed it at #15,419 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Taaffe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 411 in 2016. That gives Taaffe a modern rank of #11,654.

What does the Taaffe surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from Taff, a name of unclear origin, potentially relating to a river or saint.

What does the Taaffe map show?

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