Cundiff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Cundiff is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in the settlement of Concliff in the county of Lancashire. The surname Cundiff 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 Cundiff family

The surname Cundiff 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 Cundiff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cundiff research. Another 284 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1611, 1750, 1790, 1820 and 1871 are included under the topic Early Cundiff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cundiff Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Cundiff has been recorded under many different variations, including Cunliffe, Cuncliffe, Concliffe, Conliffe, Cunlife, Conlife, Cunliff, Conliff and many more.

Early Notables of the Cundiff family

More information is included under the topic Early Cundiff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cundiff Ranking

In the United States, the name Cundiff is the 5,550^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 3

Cundiff migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Cundiff or a variant listed above:

Cundiff Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Calwin A. Cundiff, aged 43, who landed in America from London, in 1903
Lucy Cundiff, aged 44, who landed in America from Silon, in 1904
William Milton Cundiff, aged 55, who settled in America from Silon, in 1904
L B. Cundiff, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States, in 1909

Contemporary Notables of the name Cundiff (post 1700) +

William A. "Billy" Cundiff (b. 1980), American football placekicker
Frederick William Cundiff (1895-1982), British soldier, politician and businessman

The Cundiff 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: Fideliter
Motto Translation: Faithfully.

Citations +

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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/