Surname Radclyffe - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Radclyffe: What does the surname Radclyffe mean?
The surname Radclyffe is of English origin. It is derived from a place-name, specifically Radcliffe, a parish located in the county of Lancashire in England. The name Radcliffe itself means "red cliff" in Old English, from the words "read" (red) and "clif" (cliff). The Radclyffe surname was likely used by those who originated from this location, or perhaps by individuals who lived or worked near a notable red cliff. Over time, different spelling variants such as Radcliffe, Ratcliffe, and Radclyffe have come into use.-
Order DNA origin analysisRadclyffe: Where does the name Radclyffe come from?
The last name Radclyffe is an Anglicized form of a Burgundian name, "Radelief," originating in the area of Dijon in France. Radclyffe is a relatively rare name, although it is currently most common in England, Scotland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
In England, Radclyffe is most common in the North West and in Lancashire, although in Scotland the surname is found mainly in the urban centers. The prevalence of the name in Scotland is especially noteworthy, as it is one of the few surnames with clear ties to the French roots of the nation.
In Australia and New Zealand, the last name Radclyffe can be found mainly in Queensland, with a high concentration in the city of Brisbane. The name is also present in Canada, with a strong presence in Ontario.
The exact origin of the surname Radclyffe is unclear, although there is speculation that it first originated among a noble family in Dijon. In the United Kingdom, the name may have been adopted by those who accepted the Protestant faith in the seventeenth century, before the family left France and settled in the British Isles.
The rare last name of Radclyffe continues to be linked around the world today, a testament to the long and proud heritage that many of its bearer's share.
Variations of the surname Radclyffe
The surname Radclyffe has several related variants, spellings, and surnames that can trace their roots to the same origin. For example, Radcliffe, Ratcliffe, and Radcliff are variations of this same surname that all originate with the same place.
The original surname of Radclyffe was taken on by a family from Radcliffe near Manchester in the 12th century, and the 'clyffe' suffix was a denotation of a settlement near a cliff or steep slope. Over time this suffix evolved and mutated, as Radcliffe gradually became Radcliff and Ratcliffe over the centuries.
Other variants and spellings of the Radclyffe surname include Radclive, Raddiffe, Radclyf, Radeliffe, Redclive, Ratcliff, Radcliffey, Radclyfte, Ratliff, Radclyff, and Redcliff.
In addition, there are other surnames that are directly related to the Radclyffe origins, such as Redcliffe, Rattlecliffe, Radcliffe-Brown, Radcliffe-Lamonby, and Radcliffe-Baker. Many of these surnames derive from a place name that is closely related to the Radclyffe family, such as Redcliffe near Bristol or Rattlecliffe near Market Harborough.
Although many of the spellings and forms of the Radclyffe surname have changed over the centuries, their original origin is still evident throughout all the variations.
Famous people with the name Radclyffe
- Radclyffe Hall: Novelist, poet, and author of The Well of Loneliness, the famous lesbian novel published in 1928.
- Steven Radclyffe Smith: President of Microsoft Research Cambridge, UK.
- Miles Radclyffe: English actor.
- Alexander Radclyffe– 2018 British Grand Prix Powerboat racing champion.
- Christopher Radclyffe: British Actor.
- Henry Radclyffe: Australian rules footballer.
- Michael Radclyffe: British composer, conductor and drummer.
- David Radclyffe: Helicopter pilot and Head of BBC Aerial Camera Department.
- Richard Radclyffe: British businessman, Royal Commissioner and executive director of the British Telecommunications Company.
- Captain George Radclyffe: English seafarer and explorer.