Find out how popular the first name Radcliffe has been for the last 2 years (from 1989 to 1990) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Radcliffe by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Radcliffe is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1990, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Radcliffe.

The history of the first name Radcliffe

The given name Radcliffe has its origins in Old English, originating from a combination of two words - "rad" meaning "red" and "clif" meaning "cliff" or "slope". This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a red cliff or reddish slope.

The earliest recorded use of the name can be traced back to the late 11th century, shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It appeared in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, where it was recorded as a surname denoting someone's place of residence.

As a given name, Radcliffe gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly among the English nobility and gentry. One notable bearer of the name was Sir Radcliffe Delves (1397-1441), a knight and landowner from Cheshire, England. He fought in the Hundred Years' War against France and was appointed a member of the King's Council.

In the 16th century, Radcliffe was the name of a prominent English family that held significant influence and power. Sir Nicholas Radcliffe (1510-1585) was a courtier and military commander during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, while his son Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex (1526-1583), served as Lord Deputy of Ireland.

The name continued to be used throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, with several notable individuals bearing it. Radcliffe Woodhouse (1628-1701) was an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament, while Radcliffe Sidebottom (1701-1760) was a renowned clockmaker and inventor from Manchester.

In more recent history, one of the most famous bearers of the name Radcliffe is Daniel Radcliffe, the British actor best known for his portrayal of Harry Potter in the hugely popular film series based on the books by J.K. Rowling. He was born in 1989 and has since gone on to star in numerous other movies and stage productions.

Other notable individuals named Radcliffe include Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823), an English author and pioneer of the Gothic novel genre, and Radcliffe Bailey (born 1968), an African American contemporary artist known for his mixed-media works exploring themes of ancestry and identity.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Radcliffe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Radcliffe, please contact us.

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