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

Raffington, 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 Raffington surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Raffington in America

Raffington is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Raffington surname appeared 122 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 Raffington.

The history of the last name Raffington

The surname Raffington has its origins in England, tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English words "raeff" meaning raven and "tun" meaning town or settlement. This suggests that the name originated from a place name referring to a town or village where ravens were prevalent.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, where a Roger de Raffingtone is listed as a landowner. This indicates that the Raffington family had already established itself as part of the landed gentry in the region by the late 12th century.

The name appeared in various historical records throughout the centuries, including the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1327, where a Thomas de Raffington is mentioned as a party to a land transaction. Additionally, a John Raffington is listed as a witness to a deed in the Calendars of Wills from London in 1489.

Notable individuals bearing the Raffington surname include Sir Henry Raffington (1525-1597), a prominent merchant and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Edward Raffington (1617-1673), a clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Willingale Doe in Essex.

In the 18th century, the name gained recognition with the birth of William Raffington (1751-1826), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Opera House and the Old Bailey courthouse.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Mary Raffington (1810-1891), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's education. She founded the Raffington School for Girls in Bath, which was highly regarded for its progressive curriculum and emphasis on academic excellence.

Another noteworthy figure was James Raffington (1867-1941), a renowned explorer and naturalist who made significant contributions to our understanding of the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest. His detailed journals and specimens are preserved in various museums and research institutions around the world.

Throughout its history, the surname Raffington has maintained a strong presence in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Essex, where many of the earliest records of the name can be found. While the name has evolved in spelling over time, with variations such as Raffintun, Raffyngton, and Raffyngdon appearing in historical documents, the core meaning and origins remain deeply rooted in the English language and landscape.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Raffington

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

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 Raffington 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.

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

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

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