Find out how popular the last name Buffin is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Buffin.

Buffin, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Buffin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Buffin in America

Buffin is the 37848th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Buffin surname appeared 587 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Buffin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Buffin to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Buffin

The surname Buffin is believed to have originated in the Normandy region of France in the early medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Old French word 'buffe', meaning a buffalo. The name may have been initially used as a nickname for someone with a perceived likeness or characteristic reminiscent of a buffalo.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Buffin surname dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Buffyn'. This entry suggests that the name was already established in parts of England by the late 11th century, likely brought over by Norman settlers after the conquest in 1066.

In the 13th century, records show a Richard Buffin residing in the village of Little Walsingham, Norfolk. This area was home to a notable Buffin family in the medieval era, with several members mentioned in local manorial rolls and tax records over the subsequent centuries.

A notable bearer of the Buffin name was Sir Thomas Buffin, born around 1520 in Wiltshire. He served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Old Sarum in the late 16th century during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another historical figure was John Buffin, a 17th-century clergyman who became the Rector of Westbury in Wiltshire in 1653. His tenure lasted until his death in 1681.

The Buffin surname also has ties to the village of Buffen, located in the Eure department of northern France. This place name, dating back centuries, is believed to be derived from the same root as the surname, further solidifying its Norman origins.

In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the name was William Buffin, born in 1719 in London. He was a renowned engraver and printmaker, known for his intricate copperplate etchings and engravings of architectural works and landscapes.

Another prominent figure was George Buffin, born in 1799 in Warwickshire. He was a successful industrialist and entrepreneur, renowned for his innovations in the production of agricultural machinery and tools.

Throughout its history, the Buffin surname has maintained a presence across various regions of England and France, with occasional variations in spelling such as Buffyn, Buffing, and Buffett. While not an extremely widespread name, it has endured over centuries, carrying a rich legacy rooted in the medieval Norman heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Buffin

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Buffin.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Buffin was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Buffin has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Buffin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Buffin, please contact us.

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