Show ContentsIlliffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Illiffe

What does the name Illiffe mean?

The name Illiffe is tied to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of England. It comes from the baptismal name Ailof.

Early Origins of the Illiffe family

The surname Illiffe 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 Illiffe family

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

Illiffe Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Illiffe has undergone many spelling variations, including Iliff, Iliffe, Illiffe, Illif, Ayliff, Ayliffe, Ailiffe, Ailiff, Ellif, Elaf and many more.

Early Notables of the Illiffe family

Distinguished members of the family include Jacob 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...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Illiffe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Illiffe family to Ireland

Some of the Illiffe 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 Illiffe family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Illiffe were among those contributors: Thomas Ayliffe, who sailed to Rappahannock, Virginia in 1741; John Ayliffe to Maryland in 1774; and Benjamin Iliff to Philadelphia in 1878.



The Illiffe 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: Vive ut vivas
Motto Translation: Live that you may live for ever


  1. 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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