Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• a close called Rocliffe 1662 BW

• a piece of ground called Roakley and closes called Roakley New close 1702 ib

• the New Close adjoining Roakley gose 1703 ib

• a messuage called Rocliffe with Rocliffe Pasture, New Rocliffe, New Closes 1723 ib

• High Rockcliffe 1839 Map

Etymology

, a close called Rocliffe 1662BW 186–7, a piece of ground called Roakley and closes called Roakley New close 1702ib 190,the New Close adjoining Roakley gose 1703ib 193, a messuage called Rocliffe with Rocliffe Pasture , New Rocliffe , New Closes 1723ib , High Rockcliffe 1839Map . Possibly ' red cliff ' , ON  rauðr , klif .