| ![Show Contents]() Ailiff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of AiliffWhat does the name Ailiff mean? Ailiff is a name that dates far back into the mists of early British history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is derived from the baptismal name Ailof. Early Origins of the Ailiff familyThe surname Ailiff was first found in Northumberland and Cumberland (Cumbria), where the first record of the family was in the Latin form in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1212: Æillovus, identical with Illivus. These early English rolls provide us with a glimpse of the spelling variations that were used through Medieval times. 1 Early History of the Ailiff familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ailiff research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1176, 1198, 1240, 1260, 1500, 1640, 1669, 1705, 1724, 1733, 1763, 1777 and 1898 are included under the topic Early Ailiff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ailiff Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Ailiff are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Ailiff include: Iliff, Iliffe, Illiffe, Illif, Ayliff, Ayliffe, Ailiffe, Ailiff, Ellif, Elaf and many more. Early Notables of the Ailiff familyJacob Ilive (1705-1763), English printer, letter-founder, and author, born in 1705, the son of a printer of Aldersgate Street, one of those 'said to be highflyers' (see 'Negus's List,' 1724, in Nichols, Lit. Anecd. i. 309). His...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ailiff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ailiff family to IrelandSome of the Ailiff family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ailiff familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Ailiff or a variant listed above: Thomas Ayliffe, who sailed to Rappahannock, Virginia in 1741; John Ayliffe to Maryland in 1774; and Benjamin Iliff to Philadelphia in 1878.
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: Vive ut vivas
Motto Translation: Live that you may live for ever
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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