Surname Cunnclyffe - Meaning and Origin
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Cunnclyffe: What does the surname Cunnclyffe mean?
The surname Cunnclyffe is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name is derived from the Old English words "cunnian," meaning "to know," and "clif," meaning "ravine or cliff." This combination of words can be translated to mean "someone who knows the cliffs," which could be referring to someone who is a navigator or who lives near a cliff.
The surname is also thought to have been influenced by certain place-names in England. Cunnclyffe is believed to have originated from the village of Cunnclyffe, which is now a hamlet in Yorkshire. This village derives its name from the Old English word for an enclosure or sheep yard.
The name Cunnclyffe has been found in records dating back to the 11th century in counties such as Shropshire, and Yorkshire. Throughout history, there have been several notable people with the surname, including William de Cunnclyffe, a 14th-century medieval monk and Lord of the Manor of Thurgoland; Thomas Macuncliff or Cunnclyffe (1525-1601), an English politician and Member of Parliament; and Sir Charles Cunnclyffe (1758-1850), a distinguished military leader and politician in the United Kingdom.
Overall, the surname Cunnclyffe is of ancient origin with a possible reference to a navigator or someone living near a cliff. It has an interesting history with records of prominent people going back as far as the 11th century.
Order DNA origin analysisCunnclyffe: Where does the name Cunnclyffe come from?
The last name Cunnclyffe is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Lancashire, England. The name originates from Lancashire, and it is believed to have been derived from an old Norman or Anglo-Saxon personal name. The name Cunnclyffe is believed to have first appeared in records dating back to the 13th century.
The Cunnclyffe family is a prominent Anglo-Norman family that has been traced back to the 12th century. It was a very influential family that gained landed estates throughout much of Lancashire. Many of the members of this family established themselves as important figures in the local government during the 14th century.
Today, the surname Cunnclyffe can still be found in the UK, mainly in Lancashire. It is also common in Nottinghamshire, Essex, and Derbyshire. It is also found in parts of Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In more recent times, there has been a surge of the Cunnclyffe name in the United States, which is likely due to emigration.
Variations of the surname Cunnclyffe
The surname Cunnclyffe has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants include Cunclyfe, Cunclyffe, Cunnycliffe, Cunneycliffe, Cunningcliff, Cunningcliff, Cuncliff, Comcliff, Concliff, Conycliff and Connolly.
The surname Cunnclyffe is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word 'cwync' which means corner or sharp bend and the Old English word 'clif' meaning a steep incline or a cliff. This suggests the surname may have referred to someone who lived by an area of steep incline.
Other surnames of similar origin include Conley, Cunliffe, Conleycliffe and Conycliffe. The surnames Conley and Cunliffe may have derived from the Old English word 'cune', meaning a wedge or corner, rather than from 'cwync'.
The surname Cunnclyffe can also be found in various countries throughout Europe, such as Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy and Germany. In Ireland, the surname appears in the form of Conclyffe and Cunclyffe, while in Scotland it appears as Concliff, Concleiff, Concklow, Concla and Concle. In France, the surname is often spelled as Cuncliff, whereas in Italy it appears as Conclif and Concliffi. In Germany, the surname appears as Kuncliff, Koncliff, Kuenkleiff and Konkleiff.
No matter the form or spelling, the surnames Cunnclyffe, Cunclyffe, Conley, Conleycliffe, Cunliffe, Conycliffe, Concliff, Concleiff, Concklow, Concla, Concle, Cuncliff, Conclif, Concliffi, Kuncliff, Koncliff, Kuenkleiff and Konkleiff are all believed to derive from the same Anglo-Saxon origin.
Famous people with the name Cunnclyffe
- Sir Thomas Cunnyngham Cunyngham-Cunyngham (1721-1776): Irish politician and philanthropist.
- Percy William Cunyngham-Cunyngham (1821-1898): British soldier who served during the Crimean War.
- Joseph Cunnyngham Cunyngham-Cunyngham (1846-1907): British diplomat who served in Persia, China and India.
- Lady Amy Cunyngham-Cunyngham (1852-1932): English scholar who wrote on ancient history and archaeology.
- Evelyn Augusta Cunyngham-Cunyngham, (1865-1952): British poet and writer, known for her translations of works by French writers, such as Rimbaud and Baudelaire.
- John Cunyngham-Cunyngham (1868-1944): British naval officer and author.
- Walter Cunyngham-Cunyngham (1872-1946): British diplomat and author.
- Evelyn Cunyngham Cunyngham-Cunyngham (1877-1960): British socialite and hostess.
- Reginald Cunyngham-Cunyngham (1879-1960): British Conservative politician and amateur racing car driver.
- William Cunyngham-Cunyngham (1903-1977): British Conservative politician and author.