Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
CLIFF
As described in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
(origin: Local) A steep bank, a precipice; a town in North-amptonshire, England.
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
CLIFF. Parishes, &c., in cos. Kent, York, Sussex, Northampton, and Wilts.
Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English