Surname Ratliff - Meaning and Origin

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L. Ratliff

Ratliff: What does the surname Ratliff mean?

The surname Ratliff originates from the Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the Old English elements "rað," meaning rapid or quick, and "hlifian," meaning to protect or to shield. Thus, the last name Ratliff could potentially mean 'quick to protect or defend.'

Ratliff is also considered a locational surname, indicating a family's place of origin. This name is thought to be linked to a hamlet termed Ratcliffe, Ratcliff, or Radcliffe found in many places in England, including Lancashire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire. These place names mean "red cliff" in Old English, referring to a steep or precipitous bank or a coastal precipice.

As with many surnames, Ratliff's exact meaning could differ based on its varied historical and locational origins. Today, many people with the Ratliff surname are found in the United States, likely tracing back to ancestors who migrated from England.

Ratliff: Where does the name Ratliff come from?

The last name Ratliff is most prevalent today in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, more than 55,000 people in the United States are currently using the Ratliff surname. Texas has the highest population of Ratliffs, with over 11,000. Following Texas is Kentucky with approximately 8,400 Ratliffs as well as Missouri with 6,000. Other Southwest states show high numbers for the Ratliff surname, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

Farther North, states such as Michigan also have high numbers of Ratliff inhabitants, coming in with between 5-4,000. The Northeast states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia all have high concentrations of Ratliffs as well.

Worldwide, approximately 50,000 people are believed to have the Ratliff surname, with Australia having the highest international population with around 7,200 Ratliffs. Other countries outside of the US showing large Ratliff populations are England with about 5,000, Canada with nearly 3,000, and Wales with over 2,600. As you can see, the Ratliff name is represented widely and not solely restricted to the US.

Variations of the surname Ratliff

The surname Ratliff is derived from the Middle English personal name Ryot and Old English hryot, which is derived from hryð, meaning ‘power, strength’. Ratliff is also seen as a variant of Radcliff, which is derived from the Old English elements rad, meaning ‘riding, journey’, and clif, meaning ‘cliff, slope’. It is also found as the surnames Redliff, Ratcliffe, Ratliffe, Redliffe, Radcliffe, Radcliff, Radliff, Ratlaff, Radlaff, and Radleff.

Ratliff is a commonly found surname in countries of English origin such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, Ratliff is one of the top 3,000 surnames found in the 2000 US Census, and it is popular throughout the country. In the United Kingdom and its former colonies, Ratliff is a common surname found in the regions of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

In addition, Ratliff is classified as a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from a given name. Ratliff is also known as a metronymic surname, which means it is derived from the name of one’s mother as opposed to one’s father. It can also be seen as a habitational surname, derived from a place-name, as there are a number of places in England with the name Ratcliffe, derived from Old English.

Overall, Ratliff can be found in many regions across the English-speaking world, under a variety of spellings and surnames.

Famous people with the name Ratliff

• Zackary Ratliff: American professional wrestler (born in 1988)
• H. Bruce Ratliff: American mathematical psychologist (born in 1937)
• David Ratliff: American film producer (born in 1968)
• Christopher Ratliff: American politician (born in 1982)
• Don Ratliff: American country music songwriter, producer, and publisher (born ca. 1944)
• Alex Ratliff: American professional baseball player (born in 1980)
• Mark Ratliff: American film director and screenwriter (born in 1962)
• Paul Ratliff: American keyboardist, composer, and producer (born in 1943)
• Brad Ratliff: American film editor and frames artist (born in 1989)
• Emily Ratliff: American attorney general in Texas (serving from 2021)

Other surnames

RatliefRatliffeRatlive