Clifton introduction

Clifton is first mentioned in 944 when the name is Cliftune, it means "cliff or slope settlement". The parish is just under 1,500 acres in size and averages just over 100 feet above sea-level. Clifton Manor was held by Alwin Duele before the Conquest and after it by William de Caron, the Bishop of Lincoln. It remained in the de Caron family until the 13th century when it was sold to Henry Spigurnel, remaining in that family until conveyed to Sir Gerard Braybroke in 1340, remaining with the Braybrokes until 1427 when it passed to Sir William Babyngton, his son conveying it to Sir John Fisher around the end of the century. Fisher's granddaughter in 1528 was married to Oliver, Lord St.John of Bletsoe who held it until 1602 when it was conveyed to Walter Rolt. The manor then passed through a number of families with the Pryor family in possession in the early 20th century. Clifton's other Manor, the Manor of Lacies was created at the beginning of the fourteenth century and was owned by John de Lacy. It, too, came into the Braybroke family and followed the same ownership as Clifton Manor. Land in Clifton also formed a third part of a manor held by the Prior of the Knights Hospitaller of St.John of Jerusalem from some time before 1278 until the Dissolution of the Monasteries after which it passed through a number of families before conveyed to Walter Rolt in 1617 when it was merged with the other two manors. The two abbeys of Warden and Ramsey also held land in the parish.

The population of Clifton has been as follows:

1801 – 329; 1851 – 1,053; 1901 – 1,283; 1951 – 1,161; 2001 – 2,729