| ![Show Contents]() Cundiffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The origins of the Cundiffe name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in the settlement of Concliff in the county of Lancashire. The surname Cundiffe 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 Cundiffe familyThe surname Cundiffe 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 Cundiffe familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cundiffe research. Another 284 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1611, 1750, 1790, 1820 and 1871 are included under the topic Early Cundiffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Cundiffe Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Cundiffe were recorded, including Cunliffe, Cuncliffe, Concliffe, Conliffe, Cunlife, Conlife, Cunliff, Conliff and many more. Early Notables of the Cundiffe familyMore information is included under the topic Early Cundiffe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Cundiffe familyTo escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Cundiffe family emigrate to North America: Henry Cunliffe who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1630; John and Esther Cunliffe arrived in Maryland in 1775 and later settled in Virginia; John Cunliffe settled in New York State in 1775.
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.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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