Show ContentsConliff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the bearers of the Conliff family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in the settlement of Concliff in the county of Lancashire. The surname Conliff belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The name in Anglo Saxon meant "War love."

Early Origins of the Conliff family

The surname Conliff was first found in Lancashire where Nicholas le Cumbecliue was first listed in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1246. [1] The name traces back to Cundcliff, now known as Cunliffe Hill, in the township of Billington, near Blackburn in Lancashire. [2] The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 - 1276 list Robert de Cundeclif in Yorkshire. [1] [2]

A few years later Adam de Cunliffe was listed in Yorkshire 1317-1318. [2] The Register of Freemen of the City of York in 1411 lists Thomas Cunclyff. [1]

Early History of the Conliff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Conliff research. Another 284 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1611, 1750, 1790, 1820 and 1871 are included under the topic Early Conliff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Conliff Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Conliff include Cunliffe, Cuncliffe, Concliffe, Conliffe, Cunlife, Conlife, Cunliff, Conliff and many more.

Early Notables of the Conliff family

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


Australia Conliff migration to Australia +

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

Conliff Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Conliff, (b. 1790), aged 25, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [3]


The Conliff 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: Fideliter
Motto Translation: Faithfully.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie


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