Surname Ellife - Meaning and Origin
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Ellife: What does the surname Ellife mean?
The surname Ellife is of Germanic origin and is believed to have derived from the name Elf, which was a nickname for an individual with elfin features or from the Old English term 'Ƿeall', a word referring to a hill surrounded by water.
The spelling of the Dutch version of the name is Ellof and this version is widely found in The Netherlands and other Dutch-influenced locations like the United States. Ellife could be an Americanized version of the name.
In original Anglo-Saxon culture, the name was rarely used as an actual surname, opting instead to be used only as a nickname. However, with the growth of population and need for better record-keeping during the Middle Ages, many families began taking on the use of surnames on a more regular basis. It has since become a popular name in Germany and the US and is today often spelled with two L’s instead of one.
In the United States, the Ellife spelling began to emerge in the early 20th century following increased immigration from Germany, as well as other European countries like England. This spelling is thought to be the Americanized version of the original Dutch spelling.
The earliest recording of the surname was in 1519 in England, where a Thomas Ellife of Suffolk was recorded. The earliest recorded spelling of the Ellife surname was found in the Domesday Book in 1086 where it was spelled as Elif.
Overall the Ellife surname likely evolved from an Old English term referring to a hill surrounded by water, but the use of the name as a surname has become popular in Germany and the US in recent centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisEllife: Where does the name Ellife come from?
The last name Ellife is not a commonly found surname in modern times. It is, however, a very old one which may have originated in Medieval Britain. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Old English 'ellif', which means 'half'.
In the Anglo-Saxon period, it is likely that Ellife was a patronymic name, in which case it would have been used by someone with the first name Eliot or Eliffe, which has a similar meaning. In medieval times, the Ellife surname spread to parts of the British Isles, particularly Ireland, where it is still found today.
In recent times, Ellife has been found in areas across the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is also found in Australia and New Zealand, which are likely to be the result of migrations from these parts of the British Isles in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Ellife is generally a rare surname, although there are likely to still be some individuals and families carrying it throughout the British Isles, especially in Ireland. The name retains its Viking roots, and is still a testament to the strength and resilience of the people and their culture throughout the ages.
Variations of the surname Ellife
The surname Ellife is a variant of the Old English surname Elliff, which dates to the 12th Century in the Domesday Book, a survey used to collect tax from early settlers. Elliff was historically an occupational surname, referring to someone who made tiles, a trade that can be traced back to Roman times.
The variant Ellife can also be spelled Elliff or Elliffe, and has a few additional spelling variations – Ellif, Ellifffe, Elliffe, Eliffe, Elif or Eliffe. A variety of alternate spellings of the same surname suggests the prevalence of illiteracy, which was common among the working classes in the centuries before the introduction of universal education in the 19th Century.
In addition to these spelling variations, Ellife is also derived from a number of patronyms – surnames derived from the given name of the father or ancestor. These surnames may include Ellifson, Ellifsen, Ellifson, Ellifsson, Ellifs or Ellifsen. Other surnames derived from the same root include Ellify, Elloff, Ellef, Ellif, Ellif, Ellyfy, Elley, Ellif and Ellifully.
Whether derived from a patronymic or a spelling variant, Ellife is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origins, and represents a long history of workshops, and the workers who created a lasting legacy in tiles and other trades.
Famous people with the name Ellife
- Lucas Illfeld: American comedian, actor, and writer.
- Erin Elliffe: British actress best known for her roles in Hex and Merlin.
- Roger Elliffe: British writer, dramatist, and theatre director.
- Joe Ellife: British musician and composer.
- Stephanie Ellife: British radio and television presenter.
- John Ellife: British lawyer and politician.
- Stephen Ellife: American film and television producer.
- Peter Elliffe: British actor, known for roles in The White Hare, Call the Midwife and Wives & Daughters.
- William Elliffe: American poet and author.
- Amy Elliffe: British singer and songwriter.