Surname Atcliffe - Meaning and Origin

Atcliffe: What does the surname Atcliffe mean?

The last name Atcliffe is believed to be of English origin and is derived from the old English words at, meaning “at the” and clif, meaning “cliff or slope.” Combined, Atcliffe likely refers to someone who lived, worked, or owned land near or at the foot of a cliff. The surname may also be a variation of the name Attencliff, an old English topographical name for someone who lived near a cliff.

The last name Atcliffe was first found in Lancashire, where they held a family seat from very early times. During the Middle Ages, when family names first began to be used, Atcliffe was a common name in the northern counties of England. Early records of the name describe Sir William de Atclive, of Lancashire, in 1356.

Today, Atcliffe is still a fairly common name in northern England, although there are fewer Atcliffes than there were in the Middle Ages. According to a 2020 survey, there were an estimated 12, 9000 Atcliffes in Great Britain. Those with the last name Atcliffe have a strong sense of pride, given that the name has long been associated with northern English regions and is a testament to their ancestral roots.

Atcliffe: Where does the name Atcliffe come from?

The last name Atcliffe is common in a few countries, most notably the United Kingdom. It is most often found in England, specifically in the northern and midland counties such as Cheshire, Warwickshire, Northumberland, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Derbyshire. Atcliffe is an uncommon English surname with roots in the Anglo-Saxon culture of the 12th century. The surname Atcliffe is generally believed to be of patronymic origin, meaning that it is derived from the given name of the father of the original bearer of the surname.

Atcliffe is also known to have been found in some states in the United States, including New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Virginia and even California.

The name also has a presence in some other countries, including in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and Ireland.

Throughout all these countries, the Atcliffe surname has an association with wealthy landholding and considerable influence. It appears to have been a well-respected and influential family for many generations.

In the 21st century, the name Atcliffe is still found throughout England, and can occasionally be found outside of the UK. In whichever country you may find it, the surname Atcliffe is likely to have the same roots in a respected and influential lineage.

Variations of the surname Atcliffe

Atcliffe is an English surname with origins in the Anglo-Saxon language. Variants, spellings, and names of the same origin include: Atcliff, Atclif, Atclef, Atclyf, Atclyff, Atclyffe, Attcliff, Attclif, Attclef, Attclyf, Attclyff, Attclyffe, and Atclyve.

Many of the Atcliffe families originated in the north midland and southern parts of England, including Dorset, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Lancashire, and the Peak District. It is believed likely that they were descended from the Anglo-Saxon settlers who settled in northern England in the fifth and sixth centuries.

The name is thought to have derived from the Old English word “at-clyfe”, meaning “cliff” - referring to a physical feature such as a cliff, crag, or escarpment. A more literal translation may mean ‘at the cliff’ or ‘by the cliff’.

The name Atcliffe can also be found in Scotland, although it is much rarer there. Other variant forms of Atcliffe include Atclift, Atcliff, Atcliffes, and Attcliffes.

Atcliffes is believed to be a Scottish variant and is most common in Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands. It could mean ‘at the edge of the cliff’, from the Gaelic ‘at-cluiff’.

In the United States, the surname Atcliffe can also be found as Adcliffe. It is likely that this form of the name is descended from the original British spelling, via the phonetic adaptation of the name into the American accent.

Famous people with the name Atcliffe

• Douglas Atcliffe: English actor
• Jack Atcliffe: British jazz musician
• Matthew Atcliffe: Australian playwright
• Richard Atcliffe: British Detective Chief Superintendent
• Tim Atcliffe: English print and media journalist
• Simon Atcliffe: cooking competition champion
• Faris Atcliffe: British model
• Barbra Atcliffe: American theater director
• Sarah Atcliffe: British Paralympic swimmer
• Katherine Atcliffe: British photographer

Other surnames

Atcliff