Show ContentsAyloffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Ayloffe arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Ayloffe comes from from the Old Norse, Eili­fr and was listed in the Domesday Book as Ailof and Eilaf, a personal name. 1

Early Origins of the Ayloffe family

The surname Ayloffe was first found in Northumberland where the first record of the family is of Eilaf filius Gospatric who was listed there in 1166. We presume the Ailef of Palestu (Palestine) was a returning Norman knight from the Holy Land about 1200. He, or his successors, later held estates in that shire in 1176. 2

The Chronicles of the Mayors and Sheriffs of London, 1188-1274 listed Arnaed Fitz-Aluf, as Sheriff of London in 1108.

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had only one listing for the family: Robertus Haylyf and later the History of Norfolk listed Thomas Ayloffe, Essex, c. 1500. 3

Early History of the Ayloffe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ayloffe research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1534, 1563, 1585, 1592, 1600, 1618, 1621, 1622, 1627, 1631, 1661, 1662, 1675, 1676, 1685, 1722 and 1732 are included under the topic Early Ayloffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ayloffe Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Ayloffe, Ayloff, Ayliffe, Ayliff and others.

Early Notables of the Ayloffe family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • William Ayloffe (died 1585), an English judge of the Queen's Bench; Sir William Ayloffe, 1st Baronet (1563-1627), English Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Stockbridge from 1621 to 1622, from Braxtead M...

Migration of the Ayloffe family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Ayloffe or a variant listed above: Edward Ayliffe, aged 38, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1922; Frank Ayliffe, aged 37, who arrived at Ellis Island from London, England, in 1909; Harry Ayliffe, aged 28, who arrived at Ellis Island from London, in 1907.



  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  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. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print


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