Surname Jolliffe - Meaning and Origin

Jolliffe: What does the surname Jolliffe mean?

The surname Jolliffe is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from ancient personal names that have evolved over hundreds of years. The name is believed to be derived from "jolif," an old French word meaning ‘merry’ or ‘festive,’ which later evolved into the Middle English word "jollyf" meaning ‘jolly’ or ‘joyful’. So, it may have originally been a nickname for someone with a cheerful demeanor. The Jolliffe family lived in Staffordshire, at the estate of Wyrley, and this place became prominent as members of the Jolliffe family rose to eminence. Variations of the surname include Jolliffe, Jolliff, Jolli, Jollifs, and others. As with many other surnames, the spelling and pronunciation of Jolliffe would have changed over time as languages evolved and as the name was adopted by different communities and cultures. It's a relatively uncommon name, and those bearing it can often trace their descent from a common ancestor.

Jolliffe: Where does the name Jolliffe come from?

The surname Jolliffe is of Anglo-Saxon origin and originated from the personal name Jolgeir, which is composed of the elements 'jol', a midwinter festival, and 'geirr', meaning 'spear'. This personal name was brought to England in its Old Norse form during the era of the Vikings. Over time, the name transformed into various forms, one of them being Jolliffe.

As for its current commonality, Jolliffe is not a particularly common surname. However, it is more frequently found in English-speaking countries, particularly the United Kingdom where its origins lie. It can also be occasionally found in other countries such as the United States and Australia. As per surname distribution data, the highest concentration of people with the Jolliffe surname is in Isle of Wight in England.

Variations of the surname Jolliffe

The surname Jolliffe has its roots in Old French and Middle English. It may be a variant of the name Jolliff, Joliff, Jollif, or Jolif. In other versions, the spelling may be altered to Jolliffes, Jolifs, Jolives, Jollives, or Jolyff.

It could also be written as Jollife and Joliffe, where the double ‘f’ is replaced with a single ‘f’. Variations of the name can also be seen with the use of 'y' such as Jolyffe, Jolyve, Jolyf, Jolliff, or Jolyff. Additionally, phonetic alterations like Jolive, Joliffe, Jolive, and Jollive may be observed. There are also a few versions where the 'e' at the end is omitted, such as Jollif, Jolif, or Jolliff.

This surname can be associated with geographical links especially to areas connected to Normandy, given its origins. There may be a possibility of individuals residing in different regions developing variations to the name over time depending on the dialect, phonetic pronunciation and the regional lingual influences. Given these factors, variations in the surname Jolliffe may not be limited to these examples.

Famous people with the name Jolliffe

• Warrick Jolliffe, Australian politician
• Monica Jolliffe, Australian actress
• Charles Jolliffe, British lawyer
• Edward Jolliffe, British composer
• Eloisa Jolliffe, British illustrator
• Henry Jolliffe, British politician
• John Jolliffe, English historical scholar
• Melissa Jolliffe, New Zealand cook
• Mary Jolliffe, American author
• Annabelle Jolliffe, English dance choreographer
• Richard Jolliffe, Australian politician
• Graham Jolliffe, Australian artist
• Lucy Jolliffe, Canadian photographer
• Rob Jolliffe, British actor
• Joanna Jolliffe, British musician
• Alan Jolliffe, American veteran
• Elizabeth Jolliffe, British portrait painter
• Julian Jolliffe, British editor
• Mark Jolliffe, British dancer
• Sarah Jolliffe, Australian scientist

Other surnames

Jolliff