Fairclough is an English surname of topographic origin, deriving from a place name that meant "fair ravine, fair cliff" in Old English. The name is composed of the elements fæger ("fair, beautiful") and clōh ("ravine, cliff"). A common variant form is Faircloth.Notable BearersAdam Fairclough (born 1950s), British historian of the United States.Anna Fairclough (born 1957), member of the Alaska House of Representatives.Chris Fairclough (born 1964), English soccer player.David Fairclough (born 1957), Liverpool Football Club striker in the 1970s.Ellen Fairclough (1905–2004), first female Cabinet minister in Canada.Leonard Fairclough (1853–1927), English stonemason and founder of Leonard Fairclough & Son, a construction firm.DistributionFairclough is most common in northwestern England, particularly in Lancashire, which reflects its likely origin as a locational surname from a place in that region. Over time, bearers have migrated to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.Meaning: "fair ravine, fair cliff" (Old English)Origin: EnglishType: Topographic/locational surnameUsage regions: United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Australia