Ayliffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Ayliffe is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Ayliffe comes from from the Old Norse, Eilifr and was listed in the Domesday Book as Ailof and Eilaf, a personal name. 1

Early Origins of the Ayliffe family

The surname Ayliffe was first found in Northumberland where the first record of the family is of Eilaf filius Gospatric who was listed there in 1166. We presume the Ailef of Palestu (Palestine) was a returning Norman knight from the Holy Land about 1200. He, or his successors, later held estates in that shire in 1176. 2

The Chronicles of the Mayors and Sheriffs of London, 1188-1274 listed Arnaed Fitz-Aluf, as Sheriff of London in 1108.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had only one listing for the family: Robertus Haylyf and later the History of Norfolk listed Thomas Ayloffe, Essex, c. 1500. 3

Early History of the Ayliffe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ayliffe research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1534, 1563, 1585, 1592, 1600, 1618, 1621, 1622, 1627, 1631, 1661, 1662, 1675, 1676, 1685, 1722 and 1732 are included under the topic Early Ayliffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ayliffe Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Ayloffe, Ayloff, Ayliffe, Ayliff and others.

Early Notables of the Ayliffe family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

John Ayliffe, LL.D. (1676-1732) was an English jurist from Pember, Hampshire who was expelled from the University of Oxford in a high-profile controversy. Sir John Ayliffe was physician to Henry VIII...

Ayliffe migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Ayliffe or a variant listed above:

Ayliffe Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Ayliffe, who sailed to Rappahannock, Virginia in 1741
John Ayliffe to Maryland in 1774

Ayliffe Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Lydia Ayliffe, aged 18, who landed in America from Liverpool, in 1897

Ayliffe Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Harry Ayliffe, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1907
Frank Ayliffe, aged 37, who landed in America from London, England, in 1909
Edward Ayliffe, aged 38, who immigrated to America, in 1922

Ayliffe migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ayliffe Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

George Hamilton Ayliffe, who arrived in Glenelg Roads aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1838 4
Elizabeth Ayliffe, who arrived in Glenelg Roads aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1838 4
Thomas Hamilton Ayliffe (1774-1852), English physician who arrived in Glenelg Roads aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1838; born into a well to do family, he was orphaned at the age of 12 and was fostered by George O'Brian Wyndham, the 3rd Earl of Egremont 4
Elizabeth Esther Ayliffe, who arrived in Glenelg Roads aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1838 4
Cecelia Ayliffe, who arrived in Glenelg Roads aboard the ship "Pestonjee Bomanjee" in 1838 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Ayliffe (post 1700) +

Graham Arthur John Ayliffe (1926-2017), English medical microbiologist from Hambrook, Gloucestershire, Emeritus Professor in Medical Microbiology, University of Birmingham
David Royce Ayliffe, Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 1980s; he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for rugby league achievements in 2000
George Ayliffe Poole (1809-1883), English clergyman and author, educated at Cambridge, where he was a scholar of Emmanuel College, Vicar of Welford, Northamptonshire (1843-1876)

Citations +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The PESTONJEE BOMANJEE 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838PestonjeeBomanjee.htm