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

Dafney, 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 Dafney surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dafney in America

Dafney is the 116201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dafney surname appeared 150 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 Dafney.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dafney 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 Dafney

The surname Dafney has its origins in medieval England, with roots tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "dæge," meaning "day," and the suffix "-ney," which could indicate a place name or a patronymic suffix.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dafney can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that the name was already in use among the English population during the 11th century.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Dafney family likely resided in various regions of England, with some branches potentially establishing themselves in rural areas or small villages. The name may have evolved from a place name such as "Dafney's Field" or "Dafney's Meadow," referring to a location associated with an early bearer of the name.

In the 13th century, records show a Reginald de Dafney who held lands in Wiltshire. This early mention of the surname underscores its long-standing presence in English history. Another notable figure was Sir John Dafney, a knight who fought alongside King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War in the 14th century.

During the Tudor period, the Dafney family continued to play a role in English society. In the 16th century, a William Dafney served as a magistrate in the county of Somerset, ensuring the administration of justice in his local community.

Moving into the 17th century, the name Dafney appeared in various parish records and legal documents, indicating its spread across different regions of England. One notable individual was Thomas Dafney, a successful merchant and tradesman who lived in London during the reign of King Charles II.

As the centuries progressed, the Dafney surname persisted, with various individuals contributing to their respective fields. In the 19th century, a remarkable figure was Elizabeth Dafney, a pioneering educator who established several schools for underprivileged children in the industrial cities of northern England.

These examples illustrate the rich history and enduring presence of the Dafney surname throughout the centuries, reflecting its deep-rooted origins in the English landscape and the diverse roles its bearers have played in shaping the nation's narrative.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dafney

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

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 Dafney 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 Dafney 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 Dafney was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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