Clough

Clough is a term used in parts of the British Isles to describe a natural feature: a narrow, steep-sided valley or ravine formed by running water. In geography and local usage, cloughs are commonly found in upland or hilly country, and may contain a small stream. The term is especially associated with northern England and parts of Ireland, where it appears in local place-naming and maps.

As a toponym and surname, Clough originates from residence near such a feature—people living in or near a clough may have acquired the surname. The name is well established in English-speaking regions and appears in various place names and family lineages.

Notable people with the surname include Brian Clough (1935–2004), an English football manager celebrated for his achievements with Nottingham Forest, including league titles and European competition success. The surname continues to be encountered in historical records, local histories, and contemporary contexts, often indicating ancestral ties to a landscape feature of that name.