Baron de Clifford

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Baron de Clifford is a long-standing title in the English peerage. It was created in 1299 for Robert de Clifford and was established by writ, so it can pass to descendants of both sons and daughters.

The de Clifford family held several castles, including Clifford Castle in Herefordshire, Skipton Castle in Yorkshire, and Appleby Castle in Westmorland. The barony has a very eventful history, with periods when it was dormant or abeyant and later restored by different monarchs.

In 1678 the title was revived and the 15th Baron de Clifford was Nicholas Tufton, linking the barony to the Earls of Thanet. After several changes of inheritance, the title again fell into abeyance at times, and was restored in 1734 for Margaret Coke, then again in 1833 for Sophia Coussmaker. Through Sophia’s marriage to John Russell, the barony passed into the Russell family. The present holder is Miles Russell, the 28th Baron de Clifford, and his heir apparent is his son Edward Southwell Russell (born 1998).

The family motto is CHE SERA SERA, meaning “What will be, will be,” and the arms are Argent, a Lion Rampant Gules, on a Chief Sable three Escallops of the first.

Historically, other branches of the Clifford family and related titles exist, including a separate Baron Clifford (created in 1628) and Baron Clifford of Chudleigh. The barony’s former seats also included Appleby Castle and Brougham Castle.