UK surname
A locational name deriving from a place name in West Yorkshire referring to a crag or cliff.
In the 1881 census there were 32 people recorded with the Conliffe surname, ranking it #29,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 26, ranked #36,254, down from #29,082 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Sandbach and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Conliffe is 144 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 18.8%.
1881 census count
32
Ranked #29,082
Modern count
26
2016, ranked #36,254
Peak year
1861
144 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Conliffe surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Conliffe surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 47 | #24,810 |
| 1861 | historical | 144 | #15,817 |
| 1881 | historical | 32 | #29,082 |
| 1891 | historical | 44 | #30,838 |
| 1901 | historical | 38 | #29,914 |
| 1911 | historical | 26 | #30,547 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 35 | #34,344 |
| 1999 | modern | 36 | #34,323 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 28 | #35,139 |
| 2003 | modern | 30 | #35,046 |
| 2004 | modern | 25 | #35,610 |
| 2005 | modern | 24 | #35,827 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 24 | #36,072 |
| 2008 | modern | 25 | #36,072 |
| 2009 | modern | 25 | #36,191 |
| 2010 | modern | 27 | #36,153 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 35 | #35,645 |
| 2013 | modern | 29 | #36,040 |
| 2014 | modern | 26 | #36,244 |
| 2015 | modern | 26 | #36,228 |
| 2016 | modern | 26 | #36,254 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Sandbach, Wigan, Manchester and Eccles. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| 2 | Sandbach | Cheshire |
| 3 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Conliffe surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Conliffe, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Conliffe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Conliffe household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Conliffe is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Conliffe is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Conliffe, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Conliffe is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from the place name Connell, in the English county of Lancashire. The name may have evolved from the Old English word "cun-leah," meaning "rabbit clearing" or "rabbit meadow."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, which mentions a Richard de Coneleve. This indicates that variations of the name, such as Coneleve or Coneleye, were in use during that period.
In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, including Conlyf, Conlif, and Conliffe, as evidenced by records from Yorkshire and Lancashire. The spelling "Conliffe" seems to have become more prevalent by the 16th century.
The Conliffe name has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such person was John Conliffe, a 16th-century merchant from Bristol, England, who was involved in the early exploration and trade with the Americas.
Another prominent bearer of the name was William Conliffe (1705-1786), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Bridgewater in Somerset. He published several theological works during his lifetime.
In the 18th century, Thomas Conliffe (1737-1801) was a notable English architect who designed several buildings in Bath, including the famous Sydney Gardens. His work contributed significantly to the city's Georgian architectural heritage.
Moving into the 19th century, Elizabeth Conliffe (1824-1892) was a British philanthropist and social reformer. She played a crucial role in establishing schools and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of working-class women and children.
Another noteworthy figure was Sir Robert Conliffe (1860-1944), a British businessman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for several constituencies and held various positions in the government.
While the name Conliffe is not as common today as it once was, it has left a lasting imprint on history, with individuals from various walks of life contributing to their respective fields and communities.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Conliffe surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Staffordshire leads with 12 Conliffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.39x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 12 | 11.39x |
| Cheshire | 10 | 14.52x |
| Lancashire | 9 | 2.43x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 2.05x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Burslem in Staffordshire leads with 8 Conliffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 264.90x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Burslem | 8 | 264.90x |
| Monks Coppenhall | 7 | 269.23x |
| Chadderton | 5 | 276.24x |
| Accrington | 4 | 118.69x |
| Stafford St Mary | 4 | 268.46x |
| Rudheath | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Fairfield | 1 | 303.03x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Conliffe surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Conliffe surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Conliffe households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 12 |
| (Iron) Labourer Furnace | 1 |
| Apprentice (Iron Works) | 1 |
| Boot & Shoe Maker | 1 |
| Boot Binder | 1 |
| Captain Of Vessel | 1 |
| Captain Son | 1 |
| Captain Wife (Bargee) | 1 |
| Cardroom Hand In Cotton | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Fustian Cutter In Cotton Mill | 1 |
| Loom Overlooker | 1 |
| Whitesmith | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 32 people were recorded with the Conliffe surname. That placed it at #29,082 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 26 in 2016. That gives Conliffe a modern rank of #36,254.
A locational name deriving from a place name in West Yorkshire referring to a crag or cliff.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Conliffe bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.