Clifford

Clifford in Ireland represents both a Gaelic family from Kerry and Norman settlers from the de Clifford family who came with the conquest. The Kerry Cliffords are the most numerous.

Origins and History

Clifford in Ireland has two distinct origins. The Gaelic Cliffords — Ó Clumháin — were a Kerry family, described in early genealogies as a branch of the Eóganacht, the ancient Munster dynasty. Their original territory was in the Kerry barony of Trughanacmy, and the name was anglicised to Clifford because of approximate phonetic similarity rather than any actual connection to the Norman de Clifford family.

The Norman Cliffords came to Ireland with the Anglo-Norman settlement and are found in records from the 13th century. They settled primarily in Cork and Limerick, and some branches retained Norman characteristics in their naming patterns well into the early modern period. The genealogical challenge is determining whether any specific Clifford family is of Gaelic or Norman origin.

Kerry concentration

In Kerry, Clifford is a common name in the areas around Killarney, Tralee, and the Iveragh Peninsula. The county was less affected by Elizabethan plantation than other parts of Munster, which allowed Gaelic family structures to persist longer. Many Kerry Cliffords appear in the Catholic parish registers from the early 18th century — the Diocese of Kerry has good records from around 1760 onward.

Famine emigration

Kerry was devastated by the Famine, and the Clifford families of the county dispersed widely. Many emigrated directly to Boston, which had regular ship connections to the Munster ports of Cork and Tralee. Others went to New York and Philadelphia. In the Griffith's Valuation (1847–1864), Clifford appears most densely in the registration districts of Killarney and Tralee.

In the Diaspora

In the United States, Clifford is found throughout the Irish-American diaspora, with particular concentrations in New England and New York. The name achieved prominence through various Irish-American politicians and businessmen. Martin Clifford appears in 19th-century Boston Irish records as a community organiser.

In Australia, Clifford emigrated primarily to Queensland and Victoria, following the direct emigration routes from Munster. In Canada, the name appears in Nova Scotia and Ontario.

Notable Cliffords

• Martin Clifford — Irish-American community leader and organiser in 19th-century Boston
• Barry Clifford — American underwater archaeologist who discovered the Whydah pirate ship wreck
• Luke Clifford — Kerry Gaelic footballer, multiple All-Ireland winner