This is an English surname. It derives however from the Old French word "jolif", meaning merry, lively, happy, and was originally given as a nickname to one of cheerful disposition. Perhaps the ultimate origin of the word lies in the Old Norse "jol", the midwinter festival when people celebrated the gradual lengthening of the days. This festival was later appropriated by the Christian Church for celebration of the birth of Christ. The creation of surnames from nicknames was a common practice in the Middle Ages, and Jolliffe is found recorded all over the British Isles as would be expected of a soubriquet handed down as being complimentary. Early examples of the surname include: Walter Jolyf, (Bedfordshire, 1281); Henry Jolyffe, (London, circa 1300), and Alicia Jolyff, (Yorkshire, 1379). In the modern idiom the name has seven spelling variations; Jolliff(e), Joll(e)y, Jollie, Jolly and Joly. A notable namebearer was William George Hylton Jolliffe (1800-1876), created baronet, 1821; secretary to the treasury and conservative whip, 1858-1859, and created Baron Hylton, 1866. A Coat of Arms granted to the Jolliffe family is silver, on a green pile three dexter hands couped at the wrist and erect of the field, the Crest being a cubit arm erect, vested green and cuffed, and the sleeve changed with a silver pile, the hand grasping a sword all proper. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Jolyf, which was dated 1273, in "The Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272-1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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