Origin, Meaning, And History Of Clifford
Clifford is a habitational name derived from places called Clifford in Devon, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire, with English and Irish origins. The name means ‘a ford near a slope’ and is an Old English surname and toponymic name that has been commonly used as a first name since the late 19th century.
The surname Clifford first emerged in a village and civil parish on the south bank of the River Wye in Herefordshire, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Clifford fortress is located next to an ancient motte-and-bailey fortress built on a cliff overlooking a River Wye ford. Following a failed rebellion against the king in 1075, William Fitzpond’s successor forfeited the estates and castle in 1070. Walter Fitz Richard adopted the name Walter de Clifford after capturing the castle.
In addition to the village in Herefordshire, there is a small neighborhood in the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, and a town called Clifford Chambers in Warwickshire, two miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon.
For the Clifford family, Skipton, a market town and parish in the West Riding of Yorkshire, holds a special place in their hearts. The Saxons maintained a stronghold over the area after the Conquest until Edward II granted the territories to one of his favorites, Piers de Gaveston. Robert seized the barony of Skipton from Edward II following Gaveston’s demise. The barony remained in the Clifford line until the death of George, the third Earl of Cumberland and seventeenth Baron of Clifford, in 1605. For many centuries, the Clifford family lived at the historic castle, a spacious quadrangular building with an octagonal tower at the far eastern end. The castle was featured on the British television program Time Team in 2010.
Notable variations of the name Clifford include Clifforde, Clyfford, and Clyfforth. From 1911 to 1964, the name consistently ranked as the top boy’s name in the state of Connecticut for 50 years. In fiction, Clifford is the primary and title character of Norman Bridwell’sClifford the Big Red Dogbook series.
How To Pronounce Clifford?
Famous People With The Name Clifford
- Clifford Lee BurtonAmerican musician and the bassist of metal band Metallica, best known for the albums Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, and Master of Puppets.
- Clifford DavidAmerican actor and singer, well-known for his Invitation to a Gunfighter, Resurrection, and M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs etc.
- Clifford DavisAmerican politician and a Democratic U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1940 to 1965.
- Clifford Martin Eddy Jr.American writer, notable for his writing in Weird Tales magazine.
- Reese Francis Clifford IIIAmerican pop singer and songwriter, widely popular for his song ‘Baby Sittin’ Boogie’, that ranked No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Clifford On The Popularity Chart
The name Clifford has been steadily declining in popularity over the years. Study the graphs below to understand more.
Popularity Over Time
From 1217 babies per million getting the name in 1980, it was shared by 150 babies per million in 2021.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Within the last 20 years, the ranking of this name has been decreasing in the US. It ranked its highest at 12,299 in 1983 and has gone down to 18,803 in 2021.
Source:Social Security Administration名称与Similar Sound As Clifford
If you are looking to explore more names that sound like Clifford, here are some suggestions.
Popular Sibling Names For Clifford
Other Popular Names Beginning With C
名称与Similar Meaning As Clifford
If you want a name that means the same as Clifford but sounds different? Take a look at the options listed below.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Clifford
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of the name Clifford?
The name Clifford means ‘a ford near a slope.’
What is the origin of the name Clifford?
Clifford has English and Irish roots.
How to pronounce the name Clifford?
Clifford is pronounced as clif-ford.
Is Clifford a rare name?
Clifford entered the US’s top 1000 baby names list in 1900, and its popularity peaked in 1909. According to the US SSA, the name appeared on the list last in 1920 and did not secure a position in any year since then. Hence, it can be assumed that Clifford is a rare name in the US (1).
What are some famous names that pair well with Clifford as a middle name?
You can explore some well-known people who bear the name to find out about famous middle names used with Clifford. One example is Clifford Jack Andrews, the English cricketer with the middle nameJack,意思是“上帝是仁慈的。“还有Clifford Lea Bax, the English writer whose middle nameLeameans ‘delicate.’ Additionally, the American inventor, Clifford Edward Berry, has the middle nameEdward, which signifies ‘wealthy.’
Are there any notable namesakes or role models with the name Clifford?
Some notable namesakes or role models named Clifford include American jazz trumpeter and composer Clifford Brown. He was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame in 1972. American cultural anthropologist Clifford Geertz is another noteworthy individual named Clifford. He is remembered for his support for and influence on symbolic anthropology. Some more personalities named Clifford are science fiction writer Clifford D Simak and American mathematician Clifford Truesdell.
What are some common nicknames or shortened forms of the name Clifford?
Cliff, Cliffie, Cliffy, Cliffo, and Clify are some adorable and endearing nicknames that can be used for Clifford. However, parents and family members can create nicknames based on their preference to reflect their love and affection for the child.
References:
- Popularity of name Clifford.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
