Contents [hide]

Ratcliffe History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Ratcliffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Ratcliffe reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Ratcliffe family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Ratcliffe family 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 Ratcliffe family

The surname Ratcliffe 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 Ratcliffe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ratcliffe 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 Ratcliffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ratcliffe Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Ratcliffe family name include Radcliffe, Radcliff, Radclyffe, Ratliffe, Ratliff, Ratlife and many more.

Early Notables of the Ratcliffe 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...

Ratcliffe Ranking

In the United States, the name Ratcliffe is the 7,374^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Ratcliffe is ranked the 564^th most popular surname with an estimated 11,536 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Ratcliffe family to Ireland

Some of the Ratcliffe 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.

Ratcliffe migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Ratcliffe family to immigrate North America:

Ratcliffe Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Ratcliffe, who landed in Virginia in 1622 6
Robert Ratcliffe, (Rattliffe), who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 6
Roger Ratcliffe, who landed in Virginia in 1623 6
Mrs. Ratcliffe, (Rattliffe), who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 7
Elkinton Ratcliffe, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1624 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ratcliffe Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henry Ratcliffe, aged 43, who arrived in New York in 1862 6
William Ratcliffe, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1866 6

Ratcliffe migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ratcliffe Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Miss. Agnes Ratcliffe, aged 9 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Lord Seaton" departing 12th April 1847 from Belfast, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but she died on board 8

Ratcliffe migration to Australia +

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

Ratcliffe Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

James Ratcliffe, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. John Ratcliffe, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dunvegan Castle" on 13th March 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. George Ratcliffe, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st September 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. John Ratcliffe, British convict who was convicted in Chester, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Henry Tanner" on 27th June 1834, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. James Ratcliffe, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ratcliffe migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Ratcliffe Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Ratcliffe, aged 24, a farmer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
E. F. Ratcliffe, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Romulus" in 1862

Contemporary Notables of the name Ratcliffe (post 1700) +

Jere Brian Ratcliffe (1937-2015), American professional Scouter in the Boy Scouts of America, the 9th Chief Scout Executive
Robert Malcolm "Bob" Ratcliffe (1951-2023), English cricketer who played for Lancashire from 1972 to 1980
Henry Ratcliffe (1808-1877), English vital statistician, born at Tyldesley, Lancashire
Samuel Kerkham Ratcliffe (1868-1958), English journalist and lecturer
Noel Anthony Ratcliffe (1945-2024), Australian professional golfer
Derek A. Ratcliffe (1929-2005), British ecologist, the first person to discover the link between the use of pesticides such as DDT and Dieldrin and the decline of British populations of birds of prey in particular the peregrine falcon
Mr. Michael Richardson Ratcliffe M.B.E., British recipient of Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Business and to the community in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 14
Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe (b. 1952), born in Oldham, Lancashire, British Chemical Engineer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Ineos Chemical Group, was appointed a Knight Bachelor on 8th June 2018, for services to Business and to Investment 14
Patrick Christopher "Paddy" Ratcliffe (b. 1919), Irish footballer who played from 1945 to 1955
Kevin Ratcliffe (b. 1960), former Welsh footballer who played from 1980 to 1995, member for the Wales National Team (1981-1993)
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Ratcliffe family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Jack Ratcliffe (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 15

HMS Repulse

Mr. Ernest Ratcliffe (1921-1942), British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and survived the sinking, was listed as missing presumed killed in the evacuation of Singapore in 1942 16

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Peter Ratcliffe, English Fireman from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 17

The Ratcliffe 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/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 93)
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dunvegan-castle
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/camden
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/henry-tanner
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 4 July 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/