English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Clifton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Clifton

Historical Forms

  • Clifton, Clyfton 1196–1202 P 13 Wyb 1258 Pap 1279 Ass17 1291 Tax 1703 NicVisit

Etymology

'Farmstead on the cliff', v. clif , tūn , 'so called from two very remarkable cliffs above which it stands' (NB 414); these cliffs overlook the Lowther.