Show ContentsClarck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Although the Clarck surname has long been born in Scotland, the name itself is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It is derived from the Old English "clerec," which is itself derived from the Latin "clericus," meaning "priest." The term "clerec" originally denoted a member of a religious order; however, as these were the only people who were taught to read and write, the term eventually came to refer to any literate man. [1]

Thus, the name Clarck may have originally referred to a scholar, a scribe, a secretary, or a member of a religious order. The name in Gaelic was Mac a' Chleirich. Even today, the word and profession "clerk" is typically pronounced "clark" throughout the United Kingdom.

Early Origins of the Clarck family

The surname Clarck was first found in the counties on both sides of the border between England and Scotland. Early Scottish records show Roger Clericus held a land between 1174 in Kelso, Thomas Clericus was one of those appointed in 1246 to determine the right marches of Wester Fedale and James the clerk was witness to a charter by Richard de Bancori of land in Dumfriesshire in 1249. A few years later, "nine persons named 'le clerk,' rendered homage for their possessions, 1296." [1]

The Clarks were not a full-fledged clan; rather they were probably a sept of the ecclesiastic Clan MacPherson, although the Camerons also show a tie with the Clarks and Clarksons. Even though Clerk or Clark was primarily a name given to those of a specific occupation, the Celtic Church of the north would undoubtedly have assumed an order that was very clan-like.

The Clarks would also have been amongst the most educated and wise people to have lived in Scotland, and as conveyors of the Christian faith their power and authority would have often matched that of chiefs. The Feudal System initiated by Ceanmore in southern Scotland, was more fully implemented by the Norman King David I, who often made abbots as powerful as Chiefs, granting them extensive tracts of land and power. Clarks, then, would have certainly held a special role of authority as individuals, if not as a clan.

Early History of the Clarck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clarck research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1406, 1599, 1675, 1683, 1729, 1770, 1775, 1838, 1859 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Clarck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clarck Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Clark, Clerk and others.

Early Notables of the Clarck family

Notable amongst bearers of this family name during their early history was Richard Clark of Montrose, who became vice-admiral of Sweden in the 17th century; Sir James Clark, a physician to the King; Samuel Clarke (1599-1683), an English clergyman and significant Puritan biographer; Samuel Clarke...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Clarck Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Clarck family to Ireland

Some of the Clarck family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Clarck migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Clarck Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Robert Clarck, who landed in Virginia in 1703 [2]
  • Ellick Clarck, who arrived in New York in 1715 [2]

Canada Clarck migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Clarck Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Clarck, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1817


The Clarck Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: In Deo speravi
Motto Translation: In God have I trusted.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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