The name Clifford is a masculine given name of English origin, derived from the Old English elements clif, meaning "cliff or slope," and ford, meaning "a shallow place for crossing a river." The name was first used in reference to someone who lived near a cliff or ford, reflecting the geographical features of the region.

The earliest known record of the name Clifford dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as a surname. During the Middle Ages, the name gained popularity and was used as a given name by members of the noble Clifford family, who held lands in Herefordshire and Yorkshire.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Clifford can be found in the 13th century, when Roger de Clifford, born around 1221, served as a prominent military leader and fought in the Barons' War against King Henry III. Later, in the 14th century, Roger de Clifford, born around 1333, was a distinguished English nobleman and soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War.

Another notable figure with the name Clifford was Thomas Clifford, 1st Baron Clifford of Chudleigh (1630-1673), an English politician and courtier who served as Lord Treasurer under King Charles II. In the realm of literature, the name is associated with the poet and writer Clifford Dyment (1909-1975), known for his works exploring the Canadian wilderness.

In the field of science, Clifford Truesdell (1919-2000) was an American mathematician and historian of science, renowned for his contributions to the study of rational mechanics and thermodynamics. Additionally, Clifford Geertz (1926-2006) was an influential American anthropologist who made significant contributions to the development of symbolic anthropology and the interpretation of culture.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Clifford throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and disciplines.