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

Gaffrey, 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 Gaffrey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gaffrey in America

Gaffrey is the 139228th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gaffrey surname appeared 120 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 Gaffrey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gaffrey 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 Gaffrey

The surname GAFFREY is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest recorded appearances dating back to the 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "gæfer," which means "goat herder" or "one who keeps goats." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have been involved in the rearing or herding of goats, perhaps as a profession or occupation.

In medieval England, surnames were often derived from occupations, nicknames, or physical characteristics, and GAFFREY likely falls into the former category. The name may have initially been a descriptive term used to identify an individual whose primary occupation was tending to goats, before eventually becoming a hereditary surname passed down through generations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the GAFFREY surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like record of landholders in England. This document mentions a "Robert Gaffrey" from the county of Oxfordshire. Other early spellings of the name include "Gaffrey," "Gafferey," and "Gaffray," reflecting the fluid nature of surnames and spellings during that era.

In the 16th century, a notable figure with the GAFFREY surname was John Gaffrey (c. 1510-1572), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Archdeacon of Essex. He was known for his work in translating and publishing various religious texts.

Another historical figure was Robert Gaffrey (1657-1734), a Scottish philosopher and theologian who taught at the University of Edinburgh. His writings on epistemology and metaphysics earned him a reputation as a leading thinker of his time.

In the 19th century, William Gaffrey (1818-1892) was a prominent English architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas. His works are notable for their Gothic Revival style and attention to detail.

Additionally, Mary Gaffrey (1849-1923) was a British artist known for her landscape paintings and watercolor works. She exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts and was a member of the Society of Women Artists.

The GAFFREY surname has also been found in historical records from other parts of the world, indicating that it may have been adopted or adapted by individuals who migrated from England to other regions. However, its origins can be traced back to the English countryside, where the name first emerged as a descriptor for those who tended to goats, before becoming a hereditary surname over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gaffrey

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

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

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

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