NameCensus.

UK surname

Stancliffe

An English surname derived from a place name referring to a stony cliff.

In the 1881 census there were 318 people recorded with the Stancliffe surname, ranking it #9,342 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 363, ranked #12,777, down from #9,342 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Kirkheaton and Huddersfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Gosport and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stancliffe is 481 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.2%.

1881 census count

318

Ranked #9,342

Modern count

363

2016, ranked #12,777

Peak year

1911

481 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stancliffe had 318 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,342 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 363 in 2016, ranked #12,777.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 481 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Stancliffe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stancliffe surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stancliffe 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 185 #11,077
1861 historical 261 #9,481
1881 historical 318 #9,342
1891 historical 372 #9,386
1901 historical 403 #9,442
1911 historical 481 #8,062
1997 modern 377 #11,508
1998 modern 392 #11,512
1999 modern 408 #11,288
2000 modern 397 #11,463
2001 modern 375 #11,774
2002 modern 378 #11,939
2003 modern 364 #12,068
2004 modern 355 #12,326
2005 modern 373 #11,794
2006 modern 363 #12,123
2007 modern 362 #12,271
2008 modern 375 #12,059
2009 modern 380 #12,198
2010 modern 389 #12,251
2011 modern 385 #12,195
2012 modern 379 #12,192
2013 modern 378 #12,422
2014 modern 378 #12,512
2015 modern 371 #12,567
2016 modern 363 #12,777

Geography

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Where Stancliffes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield, Blackburn and Leeds. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees, Gosport, Bradford, Barnsley and Calderdale. 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 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Kirkheaton Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Huddersfield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Blackburn Lancashire
5 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 032 Kirklees
2 Gosport 004 Gosport
3 Bradford 010 Bradford
4 Barnsley 011 Barnsley
5 Calderdale 019 Calderdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stancliffe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stancliffe

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Stancliffe 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

Stancliffe is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stancliffe falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stancliffe is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Stancliffe

The surname STANCLIFFE is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place name meaning "stony cliff" or "stone cliff". The name is likely to have been taken by someone who lived near a prominent rocky cliff or outcrop.

The earliest known recording of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire from the year 1221, where it appears as "de Stanclyve". This suggests that the name was already well-established by the early 13th century. Over time, various spelling variations emerged, including Stancliff, Stancliffe, and Stanclyff.

One of the earliest notable bearers of the name was William de Stancliffe, a landowner recorded in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301. Another early reference can be found in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, where a John de Stancliff is mentioned in 1347.

During the 16th century, the STANCLIFFE name appears to have been concentrated primarily in the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Lancashire. John Stancliffe (c. 1545 - 1610) was a prominent English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Chester from 1598 until his death.

In the 17th century, Thomas Stancliffe (1622 - 1689) was a notable English Quaker and writer, known for his works on religious subjects. He was born in Yorkshire and spent much of his life in the area.

Moving into the 18th century, James Stancliffe (1707 - 1789) was an English merchant and philanthropist from Yorkshire. He made significant contributions to the development of the town of Barnsley and funded the construction of several public buildings and institutions.

Another notable figure was Sir Edward Stancliffe (1756 - 1832), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He was born in Lancashire and rose to the rank of Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy.

Throughout its history, the STANCLIFFE surname has maintained a strong association with the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Lancashire, where many of its earliest recorded bearers can be found. While not among the most common English surnames, it has persisted over the centuries as a distinct regional name with deep roots in the landscape and history of northern England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stancliffe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stancliffe 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. Yorkshire leads with 219 Stancliffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.12x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 219 7.12x
Lancashire 79 2.15x
Cheshire 7 1.02x
Essex 3 0.49x
Middlesex 2 0.06x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.48x
Surrey 2 0.13x
Derbyshire 1 0.21x
Hertfordshire 1 0.47x
Lincolnshire 1 0.20x
Northumberland 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Blackburn in Lancashire leads with 49 Stancliffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.04x.

Place Total Index
Blackburn 49 50.04x
Kirkheaton 35 701.40x
Huddersfield 26 58.06x
Leeds 15 8.64x
Addingham 11 478.26x
Norland 10 473.93x
Potter Newton 10 184.50x
Batley 8 27.39x
Idle 7 49.12x
Bradford 6 8.06x
Dalton In Huddersfield 6 87.08x
Hipperholme Cum 6 44.41x
Rilston 6 4285.71x
Rusholme 6 61.10x
Skircoat 6 49.51x
Oldham 5 4.21x
Pannal 5 169.49x
Preston 5 5.08x
Shipley 5 31.35x
Sowerby In Halifax 5 49.75x
Castle Northwich 4 176.21x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 6.84x
Elland Cum Greetland 4 28.88x
Halewood 4 203.05x
Halifax 4 8.86x
Mirfield 4 23.70x
Pudsey 4 24.35x
Rastrick 4 46.84x
Sheffield 4 4.09x
Warley 4 45.05x
Barton Upon Irwell 3 10.83x
Burley In Wharfdale 3 110.70x
Embsay Cum Eastby 3 241.94x
Ilkley 3 59.76x
Northowram 3 13.92x
Saddleworth 3 12.65x
Walthamstow 3 13.61x
Haworth 2 27.36x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.85x
Southwark Christchurch 2 13.76x
Sutton In Macclesfield 2 28.13x
Sutton Stoneferry 2 22.75x
Birtle Cum Bamford 1 41.67x
Chelsea London 1 1.07x
East Ardsley 1 37.59x
East Barnet 1 23.58x
Hetton 1 909.09x
Manningham 1 2.64x
Otley 1 13.40x
Ovenden 1 7.31x
Repton 1 54.35x
St George Bloomsbury 1 5.62x
St Martin Lincoln 1 21.74x
Stockport 1 2.84x
Toxteth Park 1 0.80x
Upper Allithwaite E 1 166.67x
Whitfield 1 312.50x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 24
James 12
William 12
Thomas 10
Alfred 7
Charles 6
Richard 6
Joe 5
Harry 4
Robert 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Benjamin 3
Christopher 3
Edward 3
Fred 3
Sam 3
Edwin 2
Frederick 2
Geo. 2
Jonathan 2
Joseph 2
Tom 2
Ben 1
Bernhard 1
Charley 1
Chas.R. 1
Colin 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Dyson 1
Ephraim 1
Firth 1
Frank 1
Hanson 1
Herbert 1
I.H. 1
Ivu 1
Joab 1
Lenard 1
Luke 1
Michael 1
Percy 1
Samuel 1
Seth 1
Tim. 1
Walter 1
Willm. 1
Wilson 1
Wm.Cockroft 1

FAQ

Stancliffe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stancliffe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 318 people were recorded with the Stancliffe surname. That placed it at #9,342 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stancliffe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 363 in 2016. That gives Stancliffe a modern rank of #12,777.

What does the Stancliffe surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name referring to a stony cliff.

What does the Stancliffe map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Stancliffe 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.