NameCensus.

UK surname

Goodliffe

A surname derived from "good life" or "pleasant life".

In the 1881 census there were 385 people recorded with the Goodliffe surname, ranking it #8,179 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 674, ranked #7,950, up from #8,179 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Silkstone, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Peterborough, Barnsley and South Kesteven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goodliffe is 766 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 75.1%.

1881 census count

385

Ranked #8,179

Modern count

674

2016, ranked #7,950

Peak year

2002

766 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goodliffe had 385 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,179 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 674 in 2016, ranked #7,950.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 639 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Goodliffe surname distribution map

The map shows where the Goodliffe surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Goodliffe surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goodliffe over time

The 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 210 #10,030
1861 historical 236 #10,393
1881 historical 385 #8,179
1891 historical 497 #7,465
1901 historical 571 #7,341
1911 historical 639 #6,529
1997 modern 690 #7,329
1998 modern 719 #7,320
1999 modern 743 #7,198
2000 modern 758 #7,055
2001 modern 753 #6,966
2002 modern 766 #7,006
2003 modern 738 #7,097
2004 modern 734 #7,135
2005 modern 710 #7,245
2006 modern 691 #7,433
2007 modern 708 #7,353
2008 modern 709 #7,407
2009 modern 724 #7,434
2010 modern 712 #7,679
2011 modern 714 #7,581
2012 modern 678 #7,806
2013 modern 693 #7,790
2014 modern 699 #7,777
2015 modern 694 #7,769
2016 modern 674 #7,950

Geography

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Where Goodliffes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Silkstone, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Morcott and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Peterborough, Barnsley, South Kesteven and South Holland. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Silkstone Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Morcott Rutland
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Peterborough 003 Peterborough
2 Barnsley 011 Barnsley
3 Barnsley 017 Barnsley
4 South Kesteven 016 South Kesteven
5 South Holland 002 South Holland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goodliffe

These lists show first names that appear often with the Goodliffe surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goodliffe

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Goodliffe, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Goodliffe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Goodliffe household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Goodliffe is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Goodliffe is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Goodliffe falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Goodliffe is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Goodliffe, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Goodliffe

The surname Goodliffe has its origins in England, emerging during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "god" and "lif," which together mean "good life" or "virtuous life." This suggests that the name may have initially been bestowed upon someone who led an exemplary or pious existence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Goodliffe surname can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Godlif." This comprehensive survey of landholdings and property commissioned by William the Conqueror provides valuable insight into the prevalence and distribution of the name during the Norman era.

Throughout the Middle Ages, variations in spelling were common, and the Goodliffe surname was no exception. Historical records from that time reveal alternate spellings such as Godlife, Goodliff, and Godliffe. These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects, scribal errors, and evolving linguistic conventions.

The Goodliffe name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Sir Thomas Goodliffe (1555-1621), a prominent English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1612-1613. Another notable bearer of the name was William Goodliffe (1762-1835), a British naval officer who played a crucial role in the Battle of Trafalgar during the Napoleonic Wars.

In the literary realm, the 19th century saw the rise of Charles Goodliffe (1824-1896), an English writer and journalist who contributed to various publications, including The Times. Additionally, the Goodliffe surname was carried by Edward Goodliffe (1891-1958), a British actor and playwright known for his contributions to the stage and screen.

The name Goodliffe has also been associated with certain geographical locations, particularly in England. For instance, the village of Goodliffe in Lincolnshire is believed to have derived its name from the surname itself, further solidifying the name's historical significance in the region.

While the Goodliffe surname may not be among the most prevalent in modern times, its rich history and origins in medieval England serve as a testament to the enduring impact of names and their ability to carry cultural and linguistic legacies across generations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goodliffe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goodliffe surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Nottinghamshire leads with 46 Goodliffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.06x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 46 9.06x
Yorkshire 46 1.23x
Lincolnshire 44 7.31x
Rutland 40 144.67x
Northamptonshire 39 11.01x
Leicestershire 30 7.19x
Derbyshire 25 4.24x
Middlesex 20 0.53x
Surrey 19 1.04x
Cambridgeshire 15 6.29x
Huntingdonshire 13 17.39x
Lancashire 13 0.29x
Kent 11 0.86x
Essex 5 0.67x
Suffolk 4 0.87x
Bedfordshire 3 1.54x
Norfolk 3 0.52x
Warwickshire 3 0.32x
Glamorgan 2 0.31x
Berkshire 1 0.35x
Gloucestershire 1 0.14x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.84x
Staffordshire 1 0.08x
Sussex 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barnsley in Yorkshire leads with 31 Goodliffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 80.54x.

Place Total Index
Barnsley 31 80.54x
Kettering 15 104.75x
Leicester St Margaret 14 13.75x
Nottingham St Mary 14 10.67x
Ketton 12 833.33x
Tallington 11 3437.50x
Nottingham St Peter 10 176.68x
Morcott 9 1451.61x
Peterborough 9 35.10x
Skillington 9 1764.71x
Snenton 9 45.14x
Bakewell 8 248.45x
Basford 8 34.20x
Lambeth 8 2.44x
Melton Mowbray 8 106.52x
Coal Aston 7 686.27x
Holy Trinity Cambridge 7 270.27x
Hulme 7 7.50x
Newington 7 5.03x
Paddington London 7 5.06x
Stapenhill 7 79.82x
Willesborough 7 202.90x
Billingborough 6 392.16x
Buckminster 6 1818.18x
Leighfield 6 12000.00x
Ashton Under Lyne 5 5.12x
Horton In Bradford 5 8.58x
Islington London 5 1.37x
Sawtry All Sts 5 568.18x
Abbotsley 4 677.97x
Beckingham 4 888.89x
Boston 4 21.89x
Cottenham 4 126.18x
Folkestone 4 16.05x
Hampstead London 4 6.82x
Horbling 4 615.38x
Lower Whitley 4 800.00x
Nottingham St Nicholas 4 57.89x
Uppingham 4 121.21x
All Saints Cambridge 3 178.57x
Barking 3 13.79x
Easton 3 234.38x
Rotherham 3 14.27x
Sedgeford 3 306.12x
Standground 3 176.47x
Wakerley 3 1034.48x
Wing 3 731.71x
Alconbury 2 224.72x
Camberwell 2 0.83x
Deenethorpe 2 740.74x
Leicester St Mary 2 5.93x
Old Stratford 2 37.17x
Pelhams Lands 2 952.38x
Roath 2 6.72x
St Ives 2 51.55x
St Pancras London 2 0.66x
Stowmarket 2 37.74x
Braunston 1 200.00x
Brighton 1 0.78x
Brooke 1 714.29x
Chigwell 1 14.25x
Crowfield 1 217.39x
Dagenham 1 22.62x
Glinton 1 196.08x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 1 7.40x
Greasley 1 8.73x
Great Casterton 1 238.10x
Leeds 1 0.47x
Little Staughton 1 166.67x
Long Ditton 1 33.33x
Louth 1 7.25x
Luton 1 2.96x
New Sleaford 1 25.91x
Oakham Lordshold 1 34.60x
Renhold 1 149.25x
Sandhurst 1 18.28x
Seaton 1 243.90x
Spittlegate 1 12.00x
St Andrewthe Less 1 3.67x
Tenby St Mary In 1 16.42x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Goodliffe surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Goodliffe surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 31
John 23
Charles 12
Thomas 10
George 9
Henry 9
James 8
Arthur 7
Alfred 6
Edward 6
Frederick 4
Albert 2
Arnold 2
Daniel 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Geo. 2
Gilbert 2
Herbert 2
Joseph 2
Leonard 2
Michael 2
Robert 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Artur 1
Ben 1
David 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
G.A. 1
Geo.G. 1
Geo.Hy. 1
Godfrey 1
Harry 1
Infant 1
Jno. 1
Joshua 1
Matthew 1
Pickering 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Sarah 1
Simpson 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1
Wilm.Johnson 1
Zachariah 1

FAQ

Goodliffe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goodliffe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 385 people were recorded with the Goodliffe surname. That placed it at #8,179 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goodliffe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 674 in 2016. That gives Goodliffe a modern rank of #7,950.

What does the Goodliffe surname mean?

A surname derived from "good life" or "pleasant life".

What does the Goodliffe map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Goodliffe bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.