Surname Wickliffe - Meaning and Origin

Wickliffe: What does the surname Wickliffe mean?

Wickliffe is a surname derived from an English village in West Yorkshire. The village is named after the Wick River, which is derived from Old English wic meaning “dairy farm”. The name first appears in records dating back to the 14th century, but researchers believe it may have been in use since the Anglo-Saxon period.

The name has been passed down through the generations and may refer to an ancestor who lived in or near the village of Wickliffe. Alternatively, the surname could have come from any number of other places in England bearing the same name.

People with the surname Wickliffe tend to be hard-working and dependable. They tend to have an independent streak and are not afraid of taking risks. People with this name have often gone on to become successful entrepreneurs, inventors, and leaders.

The surname Wickliffe is still commonly found throughout the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is a name that instills a sense of pride and a reminder of our ancestors who helped shape the world we know today.

Wickliffe: Where does the name Wickliffe come from?

The last name Wickliffe is not as common today as it was during the Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages, the Wickliffe name was most prevalent in the British Isles. Specifically, it was often found in parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Today, most of the individuals with this surname are concentrated in the United Kingdom as well as in the United States.

In the United States, the surname is most common in states across the Midwest, including Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. More specifically, the Wickliffe name is found in cities like Wickliffe, Ohio and other smaller towns in the surrounding area. In the rest of the United States, the surname is found in somewhat lesser concentrations.

The surname is declining in use in both the United Kingdom and the United States, likely due to smaller family sizes and people moving away from the traditional last names of their ancestors. It is estimated that approximately 7,500 people today have the Wickliffe surname throughout the United Kingdom and the United States combined.

Variations of the surname Wickliffe

The surname Wickliffe is believed to be of old Anglo-Saxon origin. It derived from a place-name derived from the elements "wic" meaning a dwelling and "leah," which was a woodland clearing. The variants of this surname include Wicklif, Wickliff, Wickliffe, Wycliffe, Wyclife, Wyclif, Wicliffe, Wykliffe, Wiclif, and Wiclif.

This surname can be found in England, Scotland, and the United States. It is incredibly common in the United States due to the large number of immigrants from England in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The surname Wycliffe first appears in records in 12th century England, when William Wycliffe appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, updated in 1166. From that point, the surname was usually shortened to Wyclif or Wycliffe in most records. Several families bearing this surname were involved in the 16th century Reformation in England.

The modern spelling of Wickliffe began to appear from around the 17th century, which suggests it originated from Scottish immigrants to America before the Revolution. In Scotland, the name may have been adapted from a Border area clan called Wickliffe. By the 20th century, the family was well established in New England and Virginia.

So, in conclusion, Wickliffe, Wicklif, Wickliff, Wickliffe, Wycliffe, Wyclife, Wyclif, Wicliffe, Wykliffe, Wiclif, and Wiclif are all related variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These surnames can be found in England, Scotland, and the United States.

Famous people with the name Wickliffe

• Andy Wickliffe: former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball from 1985 to 1993.
• Tyrone Wickliffe: NFL cornerback who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers.
• Dave Wickliffe: former professional ice hockey player and coach who played for the San Francisco Seals and the Minnesota North Stars.
• Bill Wickliffe: American farmer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Kentucky from 1903 to 1909.
• John Wickliffe: former Archbishop of Canterbury from 1237-1243.
• Allie Wickliffe: American soldier who was the first African-American to earn the Medal of Honor.
• Margaret Wickliffe: British actress who appeared in many films and television shows throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
• Danny Wickliffe: former American film and television actor.
• Giles Wickliffe: New Zealand cricketer who played for the Wellington Firebirds.
• Bill Wickliffe Jr.: American politician who served as the Democratic Party's National Committeeman from Kentucky from 1960 to 1966.

Other surnames

Wickliff