Surname Dunicliff - Meaning and Origin

Dunicliff: What does the surname Dunicliff mean?

The last name Dunicliff is a habitational surname derived from the name of a place. This name is believed to have originated in either England or Scotland, and is believed to have first appeared in Scotland prior to the 16th century. It is derived from the Old English 'dun' meaning hill, and 'clif' meaning cliff or steep hill. The suffix '-icliff' can suggest that either the cliff belonged to a village or chief, could denote a topographic feature of the surrounding landscape or that the family originally lived near a cliff.

The name Dunicliff was likely prominently used in Scotland early on where it may have referred to a family living on a cliff side. The family probably split off into different branches with some possibly staying in Scotland and others migrating to England or elsewhere. The name may have seen its biggest adoption in Scotland among those living in rural areas with the nearby hill or cliff serving as an identifier amongst neighbors. While the name is not as common today, it can still be found in some areas of both Scotland and England.

Dunicliff: Where does the name Dunicliff come from?

The last name Dunicliff is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. The name is originally of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English dunclif, meaning "rocky hill." The name is believed to have originated in the valley of Dominicliff in County Durham, England.

The Dunicliffs are thought to have descended from the 12th century barons of Dundalk Castle who relocated to Yorkshire. The name continues to be common in northern England and Scotland today.

In the 1881 census, the name Dunicliff was most common in the Yorkshire city of Leeds; the small town of Plashet, Greater London; the county town of Ipswich, Suffolk; and Manchester, Lancashire.

Among recent notable people with the surname Dunicliff is sports journalist Graham Dunicliff, who was a reporter for the British Broadcasting Corporation from 1967 to 1992, making appearances on BBC television’s Match of the Day throughout his time there.

The Dunicliff name is also common in the United States. The 2020 census stated that the most populous states with last name Dunicliff, in descending order, are California, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois.

Overall, the Dunicliff name is still widely present in the UK and the US today.

Variations of the surname Dunicliff

Dunicliff is a surname that is often seen spelled in multiple ways, and many variant spellings and surnames, such as Duncliffe, Dunkleff, Dunkliff, Dunliffe, Dunliff, Dunlofe, Dunncliff, Dunniclif, and Dunnicliffe all encompass the same origin.

The origin of the surname Dunicliff is most likely derived from the Middle English personal name Duncan, which is itself derived from the Old Gaelic name Donnchadh, meaning “dark-haired chief”.

In some instances, the surname has been anglicized as Duncliffe, a combination of the Middle English version of “Duncan” and “cliff”, likely referring to a steep, rocky peak or a village on top of a hill.

For other variants, the final ’e’ has been dropped to form double consonants like Dunkleff, Dunkliff, Dunliffe or Dunliff. The ’f’ spelling was likely influenced by the Old French language.

All variants of the surname point to an origin that is steeped in old Gaelic culture, with a meaning that is rooted in power and strength, both literally and metaphorically.

Though the spelling of this surname has varied over time and across locations, its meaning remains the same. No matter which spelling of the surname Dunicliff you use, you are referring to a proud, ancient family line.

Famous people with the name Dunicliff

• Mark Dunicliff: born in 1943, he was an English professional footballer who played for Bradford City, Burnley and Stockport County.
• Robinoc Dunicliff: born in 1945, he was a British comedy actor who appeared in several Monty Python's Flying Circus skits.
• Edmund Dunicliff: born in 1645, he was an English dramatist who wrote for the King's Company of Actors in the late 17th century.
• Joanna Dunicliff: born in 1835, she was an English Quaker philanthropist and promoter of education for women.
• C. M. Dunicliff: born in 1932, he was a British author and illustrator whose works include "The Great War" and "A Time of War".
• John Dunicliff: born in 1974, he was a British classical composer and harpsichordist whose compositions include the opera "The White Grass of Gramercy Park".
• James Dunicliff: born in 1903, he was a British musician and conductor who was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Music.
• Violet Dunicliff: born in 1890, she was a British actress who appeared in the silent films "Gildersleeve" and "Wild Orchid".
• Ann Dunicliff: born in 1953, she is a British author and illustrator who wrote and illustrated the children's book "Tales of the Deep Forest".
• Richard Dunicliff: born in 1978, he is an English actor who has appeared in films such as "The King of Fighters" and "The Cup of Life".

Other surnames

Dunicliffe