Surname Dunnicliffe - Meaning and Origin

Dunnicliffe: What does the surname Dunnicliffe mean?

The last name Dunnicliffe is of English and Scottish origin. It is a locational surname believed to have derived from a place in England near Durham. There are various accounts of how the surname originated, but one of the most popular theories is that it was derived from an Old English phrase meaning ‘dun cliff’. It likely refers to a steep cliff or hillside, and the surname was likely adopted by someone who lived close to one of these geographical features during the Middle Ages.

The earliest record of the Dunnicliffe surname dates back to 1327 in Durham Cathedral. Records showed that a man with this surname was employed as a clerk in the Cathedral’s archives. Subsequent records trace the name to the surrounding area of Cumberland, as well as places further afield such as Scotland and Ireland.

The surname has also served as a given name, and some variants include Dunnecliffe, Duncecliff, and Dunicoife. Across the generations, the name has been borne by a variety of people. Famous people bearing the surname include the Australian politician Thomas Dunnicliffe, and therator Humphrey Dunnicliffe.

Today, the Dunnicliffe surname remains common in Britain, particularly in Lancashire, Cumberland, and Scotland. It is also moderately common in the United States, especially in states such as California, Arizona, and Hawaii.

Dunnicliffe: Where does the name Dunnicliffe come from?

The last name Dunnicliffe is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. This is likely due to the fact that Norman Conquest of 1066, which began the spread of Anglo-Saxon surnames across the country. The name can be found in counties such as Essex, Suffolk, Lancashire and Yorkshire and is particularly prevalent in the North of England.

The name Dunnicliffe is likely to be derived from two sources. Firstly, it could be derived from the Old English “dun” or “dune” meaning a hill or the tops of a range of hills and secondly, “clyfe” which translates to the edge of a cliff. Therefore, the name Dunnicliffe is likely to have originated in areas of coastline or areas which had many hills.

The name is still common in the UK today. It can be found in telephone directories, electoral registers and other records. It is not as common in the US but there are still a few Dunnicliffe families residing in both the east and west coasts.

Dunnicliffe is also a rare name in other parts of the world including Ireland, France, and Canada. In the United Kingdom, the name Dunnicliffe is still very much alive where many families still proudly bear the name today.

Variations of the surname Dunnicliffe

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Dunnicliffe include Dunnickliffe, Donnickliffe, Dunckliffe, Dunkliffe, Donickliffe, Duncklif, Dunickleiff, Dunniclif, Dunniccleff, Donnicklif, and Dunniccliff.

The Old English name Dunnicliffe is derived from the elements: dun ('hill', 'down') and clif ('cliff'); indicating a person who lived on or near a steep slope, or a hill. The variation Dunniclif is a combination of the Old English elements: dun ('hill', 'down'), and clif ('cliff'); indicating a person who lived on or near a steep slope, or a hill. The first recorded spelling of the surname Dunnicliffe is dated circa 1425, in the "Fine Court Rolls of Leicestershire". It is believed to have originated in the district of Derbyshire.

Other spelling variations include: Dunnickliffe, Donnickliffe, Dunckliffe, Dunkliffe, Donickliffe, Duncklif, Dunickleiff, Dunniclif, Dunniccleff, Donnicklif, and Dunniccliff. Today it is most commonly found in the United States and Canada.

The surname Dunnicliffe is associated with a large number of family gatherings and reunions in the United States and Canada. It is also associated with the Dunnicliffe Family Tree website, which provides family information dating back to the early 1400s. The website includes photos and stories about the Dunnicliffe family, as well as a genealogy database containing names and other details of the surname Dunnicliffe.

The variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Dunnicliffe are indicative of its popularity, both in the early and modern times, as well as being indicative of its historical importance.

Famous people with the name Dunnicliffe

• Darren Dunnicliffe: a music producer and DJ from the United Kingdom, best known for producing UK Garage and Jungle.
• Matt Dunnicliffe: an English professional wrestler and MMA fighter.
• Mark Dunnicliffe: an English former international middle distance runner.
• Dave Dunnicliffe: a visual effects supervisor and digital artist who has worked on films such as Avatar, Independence Day: Resurgence, and Thor: Ragnarok.
• Peter Dunnicliffe: an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Newcastle United and York City.
• Paul Dunnicliffe: an English ecclesiastical lawyer and an Anglican priest.
• Alison Dunnicliffe: an English textile artist who lives and works in London.
• Robert Dunnicliffe: a British businessman and former Chairman of the British American Tobacco plc.
• Bill Dunnicliffe: a British businessman and former political advisor.
• Sir George Dunnicliffe: a British banker and Conservative Party politician.
• Reverend Benjamin Dunnicliffe: an Anglican priest and former Archdeacon of Cleveland.
• Richard Dunnicliffe: an English landscape painter active in the 19th century.
• Bill Dunnicliffe, Jr.: a British aerospace engineer who is best known for his work on the Concorde supersonic airliner.
• Adam Dunnicliffe: an English actor who has appeared in a number of television and film roles including the role of Tony in the ITV drama Cold Feet.
• David Dunnicliffe: a British sculptor and modeller who was active mainly in the 18th century.

Other surnames

Dunnicliff