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Clifton History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Clifton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Clifton

What does the name Clifton mean?

The name Clifton was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Clifton family lived in Lancashire despite the fact that there are numerous places so named throughout Britain. The reason for the popularity of the place name is drawn from the fact that Clifton means "farmstead on or near a cliff or bank," from the Old English words "clif" + "tun." 1 The Bedfordshire local seems to be the oldest as it was recorded as Cliftune in 944.

Many are listed in the Domesday Book with various spellings including Clistone (Avon), Cliftone (Bedfordshire + Nottinghamshire + Buckinghamshire), Cliftune (Derbyshire), Cliftune (Staffordshire), Cliptone (Warwickshire) and so on. 1

Early Origins of the Clifton family

The surname Clifton was first found in Lancashire where the surname was first found at Kirkham, where William de Clifton held ten carucates of land in the 42nd year of Henry III. He was Collector of Aids for the county. His son Gilbert, Lord of Clifton, died in the seventeenth of Edward II. 2

Westby with Plumptons in Lancashire was an ancient home to the family. "Westbi and Plunton are mentioned in the Domesday Survey, and as early as Edward I.'s reign were held by the family of Clifton, of whom William de Clifton had a charter for free warren in Clifton and Westby from Edward II." 3

In Nottinghamshire, "Gervase de Clifton, living in the fifth of John, is the patriarch of this honourable family, who took their name from the manor of Clifton, which was the inheritance of Sir Gervase Clifton, in the ninth of Edward II." 2 "Westbi [(Wesby)] and Plunton are mentioned in the Domesday survey, and as early as Edward I.'s reign were held by the family of Clifton, of whom William de Clifton had a charter for free warren in Clifton and Westby from Edward II." 3

Clifton Hall is a country house that dates back to the 11th century and was held by the Clifton family until the mid 20th century. In 2008, the new millionaire owner, Anwar Rashid, and his family left the house and stopped paying the mortgage because they believed it was haunted. The property was then repossessed by the bank and at the time of writing is still up for sale.

Early History of the Clifton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clifton research. Another 233 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1257, 1278, 1368, 1414, 1587, 1612, 1614, 1626, 1659, 1663, 1666, 1670, 1675, 1683 and 1686 are included under the topic Early Clifton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clifton Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Clifton, Clyfton, Clyftoun, Cliffton, Cliffeton, Clifftown, Cliffetown, Cliftown, Cliftoun, Clifftoun, Clifftone and many more.

Early Notables of the Clifton family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Gervase Clifton, 1st Baronet (1587-1666), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1614 and 1666, supporter of the Royalist cause in the English Civil War
Sir Clifford Clifton (1626-1670), an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1659
Sir Gervase Clifton (1612-1675), 2nd Baronet Clifton of Clifton, Nottinghamshire

Clifton Ranking

In the United States, the name Clifton is the 1,130^th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Clifton is ranked the 986^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,030 people with that name. 5

Clifton migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Clifton or a variant listed above:

Clifton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jane Clifton, who landed in Virginia in 1633 6
Tho Clifton, aged 25, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Primrose" 6
Richard Clifton, who landed in Virginia in 1642 6
Lady Clifton, who arrived in Virginia in 1648 6
Sarah Clifton, who landed in Maryland in 1650 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clifton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Dr. John Clifton, of London, England, settled in Maine in 1709
Hugh Clifton, who landed in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1712-1713 6
Thomas Clifton, who landed in Virginia in 1714 6
Thomas Clifton, who landed in America in 1760-1763 6
John Clifton, who landed in New England in 1766 6

Clifton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Miss Dorothy Clifton, (b. 1893), aged 11, American citizen travelling aboard the ship "Baltic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd September 1904 en route to Windber, Pennsylvania, USA 7
Mrs. Elizabeth Clifton, (b. 1868), aged 36, American citizen travelling aboard the ship "Baltic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd September 1904 en route to Windber, Pennsylvania, USA 7
Mr. Raymond Clifton, (b. 1898), aged 6, American citizen travelling aboard the ship "Baltic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd September 1904 en route to Windber, Pennsylvania, USA 7
Mr. Thomas Clifton, (b. 1890), aged 14, American citizen travelling aboard the ship "Baltic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd September 1904 en route to Windber, Pennsylvania, USA 7

Clifton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Clifton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Clifton, English convict who was convicted in Leicestershire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
John Clifton, English convict from Buckinghamshire, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 9
Thomas Clifton, English convict from Northampton, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 10
William Clifton, English convict from Northampton, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. Thomas Clifton, (b. 1806), aged 19, British convict who was convicted in Northampton for 14 years for stealing sheep, transported aboard the "Asia III" on 5th January 1825, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1871 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clifton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Clifton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Daniel Clifton, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Richard Clifton, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Mr. Richard Clifton, (1798-1873), aged 39, British agricultural labourer, born in Egerton, Kent, England travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 12
Mrs. Margaret Clifton, (1803-1885), aged 32, British settler, born in Sussex, England travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 12
Mr. Richard Clifton, (b. 1829), aged 12, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Clifton (post 1700) +

Richard R. Clifton (b. 1950), federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Chester Victor Clifton Jr. (1913-1991), Major General in the United States Army, aide to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson
Jeffrey Chad Clifton (b. 1976), American offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers
Mark Clifton (1906-1963), American science fiction author and businessman
Lucille Clifton (1936-2010), American poet and educator from Buffalo, New York
Sir Robert Juckes Clifton (1826-1869), 9th Baronet, an English Liberal Party politician who sat in the House of Commons in two periods between 1861 and 1869
John C. Clifton (1781-1841), English musical composer, born in London, was intended by his father to become a merchant, but his early talent for music was so pronounced that he was placed under the care of a relation, Richard Bellamy, with whom he studied music for five years 13
Francis Clifton (d. 1736), English physician, the fourth and youngest son of Josiah Clifton, merchant, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk 13
Shaw Clifton (1945-2023), Irish minister and Salvation Army officer, 18th General of the Salvation Army
Mr. Thomas Clifton, British sheriff, held the joint position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1491 to 1492
... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Clifton family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. James Irvine Clifton (1916-1941), Australian Paymaster Lieutenant (S) from Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 14

The Clifton Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Tenez le droit
Motto Translation: Guard the Right.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia-111
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp