Cleaveland is of English origin, derived from an Old English personal (byname) name 'Clæfeland', which means "clear land". It is composed of the elements 'clæf' meaning clear or bright, and 'land' signifying land. The name Cleaveland was borne by early medieval Anglo-Saxons in England, but its use has since diminished over time. Today, it is considered quite rare, with very few people carrying this name.
Cleaveland experienced a fluctuating number of births over the given years, with peaks at 8 births in 1930 and several periods with consistent lower numbers around 5-6 births annually.