The Cutcliffes of Damage are natives of the Barnstaple area from Ilfracombe to Exeter, County Devon, England. The spelling of the surname Cutcliffe was probably a derivation of Cutlyff descending from Thomas Cutlyff of Hartland, County Devon circa 1476. (information from Tom Cutcliffe)

The family genealogy or family history of the Cutcliffe (Cutclif,Cutcliff,Cutliff and/or Cutlyff) family was obtained from a number of genealogies. Most of the information about the Cutcliffe family in England, however, has been copied from accounts of the Family of Cutcliffe by William Richard Drake, FSA.,privately printed in London in 1876. Most of the information about the Cutcliffe family in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada and in the United States was obtained by Wendell W. Cutcliffe and Thomas F. Cutcliffe. Cutcliffes are also located in Australia and Wales. There is information available on over 2,500 individuals who are members of over 450 families.

The title "Cutcliffe of Damage" came from the ownership of Damage Barton, an estate located near Ilfracombe and Lee Bay. The manor house at Damage Barton is still in existence and probably came into the family circa 1505. The Cutcliffe family also occupied Lee Manor, which is also still in existence, in the small community of Lee Bay.

The Cutcliffe coat-of-arms or heraldry is described as Gules, 3 pruning hooks argent. It has a red shield with 3 silver pruning hooks. A wreath alternating red and silver tops the steel helmet. There is mantling flowing from the helmet. One side of the material is red and the other side is silver. The motto is on an old parchment background with sepia lettering. The Cutcliffe family motto is "Fingit Premendo" meaning "He builds by discipline" or "He fashions by restraint".

The Cutcliffe name was probably derived from the Latin words RUPE meaning rock or cliff, and SCISSA meaning cut.

The Cutcliffe family history, or family tree, is recorded in a book entitled "Account of the Family of Cutcliffe", written by Wendell W. Cutcliffe in 1970. Copies of this book are located in England at Damage Barton and Lee Manor. In the United States, copies of the book are located in the United States Library of Congress and at the Mormon Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Copies of the genealogy book and additional computerized information on the Cutcliffes can be obtained from Thomas F. Cutcliffe.