The surname Radcliffe derives from the place-name Radcliffe meaning “red cliff.” There have been several place-names called Radcliffe in England. Today Radcliffe outnumbers Ratcliffe by almost two to one in England. ...

What does the name Radcliffe means?

In English Baby Names the meaning of the name Radcliffe is: Red cliff.

Is Radcliffe an English name?

Last name: Radcliffe

The place name and hence the later surname, derives from the Old English word 'read' meaning red plus 'clif' meaning a cliff or sometimes a riverbank. The surname is very early and dates from the late 12th Century (see below).