Map of England showing where the Ratliff arms are recorded
The Ratliff arms were recorded in Warwick, c. 1857.
Warwickshire lay in the middle of England, and its landed families were spread evenly across it rather than gathered in one corner. A great many held a single manor each, and each of those holdings brought its own claim to arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in England when the Ratliff arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Warwick.
Origin & History of the Ratliff Family in England
The surname Ratliff is an English habitational name that originally described someone who lived near a red cliff or a steep ridge. The name comes from the Old English words "read," meaning red, and "clif," meaning a slope or bank. Over many centuries, the spelling evolved from early forms like Ratcliffe to the modern version used today. By the middle of the nineteenth century, families carrying this name had established themselves in various parts of England, including the town of Warwick. Records from 1857 confirm that members of the Ratliff family were active residents in Warwick during this period. These early ancestors were often involved in local trade and community life, contributing to the growth of the region as the Industrial Revolution reshaped English towns.
Ratliff Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
read-clif
Old English for red cliff or bank.
This name
RatliffDerived from a topographic location referring to a person living near a red-colored cliff.
also spelled
Radcliffe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Warwickshire County Record Office, Warwick Parish Registers and Census Returns, 1857
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
helmetWisdom and security in defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
helmetWisdom and security in defence
