Ellif Surname History

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Ellif was formed. The name was derived from the baptismal name Ailof.

Early Origins of the Ellif family

The surname Ellif was first found in Northumberland and Cumberland (Cumbria), where the first record of the family was in the Latin form in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1212: Æillovus, identical with Illivus. These early English rolls provide us with a glimpse of the spelling variations that were used through Medieval times. 1

Early History of the Ellif family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ellif research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1176, 1198, 1240, 1260, 1500, 1640, 1669, 1705, 1724, 1733, 1763, 1777 and 1898 are included under the topic Early Ellif History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ellif Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Ellif include Iliff, Iliffe, Illiffe, Illif, Ayliff, Ayliffe, Ailiffe, Ailiff, Ellif, Elaf and many more.

Early Notables of the Ellif family

Distinguished members of the family include Jacob Ilive (1705-1763), English printer, letter-founder, and author, born in 1705, the son of a printer of Aldersgate Street, one of those 'said to be highflyers' (see 'Negus's List,' 1724, in...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ellif Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ellif family to Ireland

Some of the Ellif family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ellif family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Ellif were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Ayliffe, who sailed to Rappahannock, Virginia in 1741; John Ayliffe to Maryland in 1774; and Benjamin Iliff to Philadelphia in 1878.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)