This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Tofts family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Tofts Family History

Tofts Surname Meaning

A variant of Toft with plural or post-medieval excrescent -s can be found in several places. Places named with the plural form of the noun include Tofttrees (Norfolk), recorded as Toftes in 1086 and 1254.

Another example is Bircham Tofts (Norfolk), which was recorded as Toftes in 1205. Additionally, Toft (Cambs) is noted as Toftes in records from 1086 to 131.

In Scotland, the name is very often derived from Tofts in Kirkton (Roxburghs). This consistency in naming highlights the historical significance of the term across various regions.

The pluralization reflects the linguistic evolution and adaptation of local names over time, linking contemporary locations to their historical roots.

Overall, the presence of the term across different areas emphasizes its relevance in understanding regional history and geography.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Tofts family from?

You can see how Tofts families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Tofts family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Tofts families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 23 Tofts families living in Cambridgeshire. This was about 26% of all the recorded Tofts's in United Kingdom. Cambridgeshire had the highest population of Tofts families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Tofts surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Tofts ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Tofts. 28% of Tofts men worked as a General Labourer and 85% of Tofts women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Tofts were Horseman On Farm and Incapacitated.

View Census Data for Tofts | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    28%
  • Builders Labourer
    17%
  • Farm Labourer
    12%
  • Horseman On Farm
    12%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    85%
  • Domestic Servant
    5%
  • Housewife
    4%
  • Incapacitated
    3%

What Tofts family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 7,000 census records available for the last name Tofts. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Tofts census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Tofts

Passenger Lists

There are 380 immigration records available for the last name Tofts. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Tofts immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 420 military records available for the last name Tofts. For the veterans among your Tofts ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Tofts military records

You've only scratched the surface of Tofts family history

Discover More

What is the average Tofts lifespan?

Between 1962 and 1984, in the United States, Tofts life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1977, and highest in 1984. The average life expectancy for Tofts in 1962 was 69, and 90 in 1984.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Tofts

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Tofts ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Tofts family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial