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Radcliff History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Radcliff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Radcliff family, who lived in Lancashire, at Radcliffe. The name of this place translates as red cliff, from its Saxon origin and indicates that originally the town was distinguished by its proximity to such a landmark on the east side of Irwell.

Early Origins of the Radcliff family

The surname Radcliff was first found in Lancashire, at Radcliffe, a parish, in the union of Bury, hundred of Salford that dates back to at least the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Radecliue. 1 "In the 14th of Edward III., Richard Radcliffe held the manor for the manor of Whalley [at Wiswell]." 2

One of the oldest records of the surname was William de Radeclive, one of the knights of the Grand Inquest, 13th of John. 2

Radcliffe Tower, now in ruins, was one of the most considerable manorial seats in the county. Richard of Radclyffe Tower was listed there in the reign of Edward I; 3 as was Richard Radcliffe, High Sheriff of Lancashire, 32 Edward III. The tower was rebuilt in the reign by James de Radcliffe, Lord of the Manor of Radcliffe in 1403.

Radcliffe is today a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester. Another branch of the family was found at Winmarleigh, a township in Lancashire.

"The Radcliffes afterwards became lords of the manor [of Winmarleigh] by the marriage of Richard le Radcliffe with the heiress of the Plesyngtons; and the estate passed through several heirs to Anne Radcliffe, who married Sir Gilbert Gerard: by a descendant of the last-named, it is supposed to have been sold to the Pattens." 2

Early History of the Radcliff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Radcliff research. Another 219 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1165, 1194, 1381, 1476, 1478, 1479, 1485, 1494, 1547, 1593, 1599, 1606, 1608, 1609, 1611, 1621, 1625, 1628, 1629, 1633, 1646, 1650, 1652, 1654, 1655, 1657, 1673, 1689, 1697, 1705, 1714, 1716 and 1813 are included under the topic Early Radcliff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Radcliff 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 Radcliff were recorded, including Radcliffe, Radcliff, Radclyffe, Ratliffe, Ratliff, Ratlife and many more.

Early Notables of the Radcliff family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

William Radcliffe, Sheriff of county Lancaster in 1194; Sir Richard Ratcliffe, KG (died 1485), a close confidant of Richard III of England; Robert Ratcliffe, British sheriff who held the joint positio...
Others include: Francis Radclyffe, 1st Earl of Derwentwater (1625-1697), of Dilston Castle, an English peer and member of the House of Lords; Edward Radclyffe, 2nd Earl of Derwentwater (1655-1705), an...

Radcliff Ranking

In the United States, the name Radcliff is the 6,790^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Radcliff family to Ireland

Some of the Radcliff 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.

Radcliff 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 Radcliff arrived in North America very early:

Radcliff Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James and Jane Radcliff, who settled in New England in 1685
Jane Radcliff, aged 20, who landed in New England in 1699 5

Radcliff Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mary Radcliff, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 5

Radcliff Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Radcliff, who settled in New York in 1803
Jerry Radcliff, who arrived in New York in 1824 5
Thomas Radcliff, who arrived in New York in 1826 5
William Radcliff, who landed in New York in 1826 5
George Radcliff, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Radcliff Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

John J. Radcliff, aged 41, who immigrated to the United States from Carnavon, Wales, in 1905
Clittes Radcliff, aged 2, who settled in America from St. Croix, in 1906
George Radcliff, aged 33, who landed in America from London, England, in 1911
John (or Juan) Radcliff, aged 23, who landed in America from Stockport, England, in 1913
Thomas Radcliff, aged 20, who settled in America from Liverpool, in 1919
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Radcliff migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Radcliff Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Patk Radcliff, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749

Radcliff Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Lilian Radcliff, aged 25, who immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1909
Sarah Radcliff, aged 35, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1913
William Radcliff, aged 55, who settled in Toronto, Canada, in 1913

Contemporary Notables of the name Radcliff (post 1700) +

Willard Lawson "Will" Radcliff (1939-2014), American businessman who created the Slush Puppie, a frozen slush drink
Dwight Radcliff, American retired sheriff of Pickaway County, Ohio who was re-elected 12 times
John Young Radcliff (1848-1911), American Major League Baseball player who played from 1871 to 1875
David Allison Radcliff (b. 1934), American freestyle swimmer at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Robert "Bobby" Radcliff (b. 1951), born Robert Radcliff Ewan, American blues guitarist and singer
Jacob Radcliff (1764-1842), American politician, 50th and 53rd Mayor of New York City (1810-1811) and (1815-1818)
Ryan Radcliff (b. 1990), American football quarterback
Benjamin Radcliff (b. 1963), American political scientist and a professor at the University of Notre Dame
Damaine Radcliff (b. 1979), American film actor
Raymond Allen "Rip" Radcliff (1906-1962), American Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman who played from 1934 to 1943
... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Radcliff Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtus propter se
Motto Translation: Virtue for its own sake.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)