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![Show Contents]() Billcliffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The Anglo-Saxon name Billcliffe comes from the family having resided in the village of Bilcliff, in the West Riding of the county of Yorkshire. The name of that place is derived from the Old English word bil, which originally referred to a sword or halberd. Early Origins of the Billcliffe familyThe surname Billcliffe was first found in Yorkshire, where one of the first records of the name was Thomas de Billeclyf who was listed there in 1308. Later, John Bilclif was listed in Yorkshire in 1617. 1 A very learned family, the Register of the University of Oxford has two early listings: Thomas Bilclif,1581; and Thomas Bilcliffe, Berkshire, 1615. 2 Early History of the Billcliffe familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Billcliffe research. Another 236 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1308, 1500, 1615, 1617, 1661, 1663, 1668, 1788 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Billcliffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Billcliffe Spelling VariationsBillcliffe has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Billcliffe, Bilcliffe, Billcliff, Bilcliff, Billeclyf, Bilclif and many more. Early Notables of the Billcliffe familyAnother 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Billcliffe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Billcliffe familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Billcliffes to arrive on North American shores: a number of settlers who arrived by the 19th century.
- 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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