 O'Murchú (1991) gives an Irish version of "Cluain Téide", suggesting 'Téide' as meaning a plateau, or a plain on a hill; essentially 'plain of the flat-topped hill'.The Placenames Database of Ireland gives the townland an Irish name of "Cluain Téide Bheag", with 'Cluain' meaning 'meadow' or 'pasture'.Townlands vary greatly in size, being territorial divisions within parishes in Ireland.