Clear History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Under the rule of England, land ownership in Ireland changed dramatically, and many native Irish families found themselves renting out land to farm from absentee owners. This was one of the prime reasons that immigration to North America began in the late 18th century: Irish farmers dreamed of owning their own parcel of land to work for themselves. At this point, the immigrants were at least of modest means for the passage across the Atlantic was often quite dear. In the 1840s the Great Potato Famine created an exodus of people of quite different means. These people were most often destitute: they either sold anything they had to gain a passage or they were sponsored by philanthropic societies. Many of these immigrants were sick from disease and starvation: as a result many did not survive the long transatlantic journey. Although those settlers that did survive were often despised and discriminated against by people already established in these nations, they were critical to rapid development of the powerful industrial nations of the United States and the country that would later become known as Canada. An examination of immigration and passenger lists shows many persons bearing the name of Clear or one of its variants:

Clear Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Joseph Clear, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 4
• Samuel Clear, who arrived in Georgia in 1742 4
• Frederick Clear, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1796 4

Clear Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Mary Clear, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 4
• Sarah, Clear Jr., aged 2, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1837 4
• John Clear, who arrived in Texas in 1845 with his wife and two children
• James Clear, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1852 4
• Patrick Clear, who arrived in Illinois in 1856-1864 4
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clear Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Henry Clear, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Anglia" in 1851 5
• Ann Clear, aged 18, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "William Hammond" 6

Clear Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Owen Clear, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Queen of Beauty" in 1863

• Todd Ray Clear (b. 1949), American criminologist and distinguished professor in the school of criminal justice at Rutgers University–Newark
• Mark Alan Clear (b. 1956), American two-time All Star Major League Baseball relief pitcher
• Eddie Clear (b. 1944), American retired American soccer defender who earned five caps with the U.S. national team in 1968
• Cameron Clear (b. 1993), American former NFL football tight end who played from 2015 to 2020
• Bob Clear (1927-2010), American minor league baseball infielder, pitcher and manager, and a Major League coach with the California Angels (1976-1987)
• Marc Clear, German-born, British opera singer, musical performer, and director
• Edwin A. Clear (1896-1960), English World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories