Show ContentsWoodliffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Woodliffe family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Devon, at Woodleigh, a village, parish and former manor located in the South Hams region. The name is derived from "wood" and the Old English "leah" meaning a "clearing in a forest", collectively a "clearing in the wood." [1] The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Odelie. [2]

Early Origins of the Woodliffe family

The surname Woodliffe was first found in Devon, where the family held a seat at Woodleigh, after the Norman Conquest of 1066. [3] [4] They were conjecturally descended from Robet de Aumaly, who held the fishery of Woodleigh which included 15 cattle and 100 sheep. [2]

It is situated above Kingsbridge estuary. Robert was descended from the Counts of Aumaly, one of the largest land holding barons in Normandy. [5]

Early History of the Woodliffe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Woodliffe research. Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Woodliffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Woodliffe Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Woodliffe were recorded, including Woodley, Woodleigh, Woodlief and others.

Early Notables of the Woodliffe family

More information is included under the topic Early Woodliffe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Woodliffe family to Ireland

Some of the Woodliffe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Woodliffe migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Woodliffe arrived in North America very early:

Woodliffe Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Woodliffe, who landed in Virginia in 1638 [6]
  • Martin Woodliffe, who arrived in Virginia in 1661 [6]

Contemporary Notables of the name Woodliffe (post 1700) +

  • Joanna Woodliffe, American actress, known for her roles in The Phantom of the Opera (2004) and Filth and Wisdom (2008)
  • Stephen Woodliffe, American politician, Boston City Councillor


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  6. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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