Ratcliff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Ratcliffs were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Ratcliff Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Robet Ratcliff, who settled in Plymouth in 1623
• Mary Ratcliff, who landed in Maryland in 1664 5
• Emanuel Ratcliff, who arrived in Maryland or Virginia in 1669 5
• Sammell Ratcliff, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1684 5

Ratcliff Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Charles Ratcliff, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1838 5
• William Ratcliff, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 5
• R Ratcliff, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 5
• R B Ratcliff, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
• Amelia Ratcliff, aged 40, who immigrated to America from Blackburn, in 1892
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ratcliff Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• C E Ratcliff, who arrived in Arkansas in 1900 5
• Albert Edward Ratcliff, aged 21, who landed in America from Strood, England, in 1907
• Charles Victa Ratcliff, aged 18, who landed in America from Strood, England, in 1907
• Archibald Ratcliff, aged 14, who landed in America from Twickenham, England, in 1908
• Elizabeth Ratcliff, aged 68, who landed in America from Warrington, England, in 1910
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ratcliff Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

• Ada Ratcliff, aged 50, who settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1924

Ratcliff Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Ratcliff, English convict who was convicted in Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
• Mr. James Ratcliff, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 18th June 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
• Thomas Ratcliff, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Lysander" 8
• Bartholomew Ratcliff, aged 48, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Oregon" 9

• John W. Ratcliff (b. 1961), American noted game developer
• Edward Ratcliff (1835-1915), Union Army soldier during the American Civil War, recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm
• David Ratcliff (b. 1970), American painter based in Los Angeles
• Roy Ratcliff (b. 1947), American Christian minister and author
• Jason Ratcliff (b. 1967), American NASCAR crew chief
• Edward Norris Ratcliff (b. 1983), American mixed martial artist
• Alexandra "Sandy" Ratcliff (1948-2019), English actress, one of the original cast members in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in the 1980s
• John Ratcliff (1848-1925), English cricketer who played for Surrey in 1876
• Daniel Rowlinson Ratcliff (1837-1923), English lock and safe manufacturer and a Liberal politician
• Robert Frederick Ratcliff (1867-1943), English brewer, Territorial Army officer and politician

• The Descendants of Joseph Ratcliff of Bienville Parish, Louisiana by Jane Clancy Debenport.
• Isaac and Mary (Presnall) Ratcliff of Henry County, Indiana, and Their Descendants by Richard P. Ratcliff.