NameCensus.

UK surname

Tolfree

An English surname derived from a place name, likely referring to a person from a location called Tolfrey or Tawlfry.

In the 1881 census there were 212 people recorded with the Tolfree surname, ranking it #12,373 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 235, ranked #17,530, down from #12,373 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Southampton St Mary and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, Hounslow and Stafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tolfree is 280 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.8%.

1881 census count

212

Ranked #12,373

Modern count

235

2016, ranked #17,530

Peak year

1901

280 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tolfree had 212 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,373 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 235 in 2016, ranked #17,530.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 280 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Tolfree surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tolfree surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tolfree 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 116 #15,545
1861 historical 109 #19,693
1881 historical 212 #12,373
1891 historical 243 #13,011
1901 historical 280 #12,193
1911 historical 267 #12,360
1997 modern 240 #15,678
1998 modern 249 #15,720
1999 modern 252 #15,707
2000 modern 248 #15,827
2001 modern 244 #15,753
2002 modern 245 #16,041
2003 modern 231 #16,504
2004 modern 234 #16,416
2005 modern 241 #16,036
2006 modern 234 #16,493
2007 modern 238 #16,505
2008 modern 239 #16,583
2009 modern 245 #16,646
2010 modern 256 #16,523
2011 modern 260 #16,188
2012 modern 247 #16,661
2013 modern 244 #17,072
2014 modern 242 #17,285
2015 modern 233 #17,627
2016 modern 235 #17,530

Geography

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Where Tolfrees are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Southampton St Mary, Portsmouth, Portsea and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, Hounslow, Stafford and Sutton. 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 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 003 North Dorset
2 Hounslow 020 Hounslow
3 Stafford 007 Stafford
4 Sutton 019 Sutton
5 Sutton 012 Sutton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tolfree

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tolfree

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Tolfree surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Tolfree household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Tolfree is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Tolfree is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Tolfree falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Tolfree

The surname Tolfree is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English words "toll" meaning a payment or fee, and "freo" meaning free or exempt. The name likely referred to someone who was free from paying certain tolls or taxes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tolfree can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, where a person named Radulfus Tolfreo is mentioned. This suggests that the name existed and was in use during the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms such as Tolfry, Tolfrye, and Tolfrey. These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the evolving nature of the English language at the time.

The Tolfree surname has been linked to several place names in England, particularly in the counties of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. For instance, the village of Tolfrey in Lincolnshire may have derived its name from the same root as the surname.

One notable figure in history with the surname Tolfree was Sir Richard Tolfree, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in the 16th century. He was born in 1542 and is recorded as having owned substantial properties in Lincolnshire.

Another individual of historical significance was John Tolfree, a Puritan minister who emigrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the early 17th century. He was born in 1592 and played a role in the religious and cultural life of the colony.

In the 18th century, a woman named Elizabeth Tolfree gained recognition for her involvement in the anti-slavery movement in Britain. She was born in 1732 and actively campaigned for the abolition of the slave trade.

During the Victorian era, a notable figure was William Tolfree, a prominent architect and designer who was born in 1836. He is known for his work on several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

Lastly, in the early 20th century, a man named Henry Tolfree made a name for himself as a pioneering aviator and aircraft designer. He was born in 1892 and contributed to the development of early aircraft technology.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tolfree families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tolfree 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. Hampshire leads with 125 Tolfrees recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.22x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 125 29.22x
Middlesex 33 1.58x
Surrey 23 2.26x
Kent 14 1.97x
Staffordshire 9 1.28x
Lancashire 3 0.12x
Royal Navy 2 8.04x
Derbyshire 1 0.31x
Dorset 1 0.73x
Monmouthshire 1 0.66x
Somerset 1 0.30x
Sussex 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 48 Tolfrees recorded in 1881 and an index of 57.25x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 48 57.25x
Ropley 17 2698.41x
Fareham 12 233.46x
Hampton London 10 291.55x
Hound 10 344.83x
Lambeth 10 5.49x
Southampton St Mary 9 33.46x
Castle Church 8 189.13x
Hammersmith London 8 15.56x
Sholden 8 2857.14x
Greenwich 6 18.06x
Southampton All Sts 6 81.74x
Basingstoke 5 101.63x
Camberwell 5 3.75x
Islington London 4 1.98x
Kensington London 4 3.45x
Bootle Cum Linacre 3 15.25x
Clapham 3 11.50x
South Stoneham 3 32.33x
St Thomas Winchester 3 99.34x
Windlesham 3 157.07x
Alton 2 62.11x
Newington 2 2.59x
Royal Navy 2 9.41x
Westminster St James 2 9.32x
Whitchurch 2 147.06x
Alverstoke 1 6.46x
Ashborne 1 45.05x
Bedwellty 1 3.75x
Brighton 1 1.41x
Bromley London 1 2.18x
Ealing 1 5.36x
Eastrop 1 1000.00x
Elm 1 384.62x
Froxfield 1 204.08x
Hackney London 1 0.85x
Lapley 1 188.68x
New Alresford 1 90.09x
Portland 1 13.57x
Privett 1 555.56x
St Marylebone London 1 0.90x
St Michael Bassishaw 1 666.67x
Weeke 1 76.92x
West Meon 1 175.44x
Yateley 1 123.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 10
Alice 9
Ellen 9
Mary 7
Harriet 6
Eliza 5
Jane 5
Charlotte 4
Emily 4
Nellie 4
Annie 3
Sarah 3
Amelia 2
Ann 2
Georgina 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Rosina 2
Susanah 2
Agnes 1
Ame 1
Anne 1
Catherine 1
Christianna 1
Drusilla 1
Edith 1
Elizah. 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth. 1
Elsie 1
Esther 1
H.Ann 1
Ida 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Lillian 1
Lucy 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Naomi 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Sophia 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 14
Charles 10
John 10
William 10
Henry 9
Edward 6
James 6
Albert 5
Alfred 5
Daniel 2
Edwin 2
Fred 2
Frederick 2
Adolphus 1
Arthur 1
Bertram 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Ephraim 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.T. 1
Harry 1
Joseph 1
Leicester 1
Newton 1
Richard 1
Robart 1
Robt. 1
Walter 1
Willy 1

FAQ

Tolfree surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tolfree surname in 1881?

In 1881, 212 people were recorded with the Tolfree surname. That placed it at #12,373 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tolfree surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 235 in 2016. That gives Tolfree a modern rank of #17,530.

What does the Tolfree surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name, likely referring to a person from a location called Tolfrey or Tawlfry.

What does the Tolfree map show?

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