Contents [hide]

Clemens History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Clemens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England-Alt
England
Germany
Ireland
Scotland

The rich and ancient history of the Clemens family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from the given name Clement which means the son of Clement. The name is from Latin origin and applies to a mild or merciful individual. It gained popularity in Medieval Europe when it was borne by an early saint who was a disciple of St. Paul, and later when the name was used by several early popes.

Early Origins of the Clemens family

The surname Clemens was first found in Brecknock, in the Welsh princedom of Powys, located in the border country between Wales and England. A bearer of Clement is said to have arrived in the Norman Conquest of England with Bernard Newmarche. Together they later fought in Brecon where they conquered the Lordship of Caron; after this battle Clement was given land at Llangorse Lake and at Cathedine.

There is a record of a grant of these lands to Geoffrey Clement made at Westminster by Edward 1 on the 10th February 1290. There has also long been a family of this name in Oxfordshire, where record of the Knights Templar show William and Richard Clement in 1153, and Robertus Clemens in 1155. 1

The name was "enormously popular in the 13th century. Hence as a surname itself and its variants will be immortalized in our directories." 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Eustace filius Clement, Oxfordshire; Hugh Clement, Cambridgeshire; Richard Clemence, Huntingdonshire; Matthew Clemens, Oxfordshire; Peter filius Clement, Salop (Shropshire); and Clemens Janitor, Norfolk. 2

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Clemens Alius Elenoe; Johannes Clement; and Petrus Clementson as all holding lands as that time. 2

In Scotland, "the following spellings all occur in 1684 (Parish): MacClymont, McClamont, McClamot, McClemen, McClement, MeClemin, McClymon, McCIymond, and McLymond, and Clymont. McClymonts are mentioned as farmers in Ayrshire in 1613. James McClymont, witness in Carrick, 1687." 3 The name is thought to have been "from Gaelic MacLaomuinn, 'son of Lamont.' In the Dean of Lismore's Book we find McClymont along with Clynelymyn (i.e. Clan Lamont). M'Lagmanid 1358, MacLagmayn 1410, Mc Laiman 1802, M'Lawmane c. 1353." 3

Early History of the Clemens family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clemens research. Another 166 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1162, 1210, 1233, 1258, 1273, 1379, 1489, 1508, 1570, 1572, 1594, 1626, 1660, 1685, 1742, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Clemens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clemens Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Clemens have been found, including Clements, Clement, Clemens, Climer and others.

Early Notables of the Clemens family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Clement of Dunblane (d. 1258), a Dominican friar, and close associate of King Alexander II of Scotland, who was made Bishop of Dunblane; and Gregory Clement (1594-1660), an English Member of Parliament (MP) and one of the regicides of King Charles I, he was hanged, drawn and quartered at Charing Cross on 17 October 1660.Margaret Clements or Clement (1508-1570), was a learned lady, whose maiden name was...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Clemens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clemens Ranking

In the United States, the name Clemens is the 2,965^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Clemens family to Ireland

Some of the Clemens family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 123 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clemens migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Clemens, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :

Clemens Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Anthony Clemens, who arrived in America in 1620 5
William Clemens, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 5
Robert Clemens, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1642 5
Eliz Clemens, who landed in Virginia in 1654 5
Dan Clemens, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clemens Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Gerhard Clemens, who settled in America in 1709 at the age of 28 with his wife and two sons
Michel Clemens, who landed in America in 1738 5
Michell Clemens, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 5
Gottfried Clemens, who arrived in North Carolina in 1754 5
Jacob Clemens, who arrived in America in 1754 5

Clemens Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Johann G Clemens, aged 31, who arrived in Missouri in 1842 5
Adam Clemens, aged 49, who arrived in Missouri in 1848 5
Elisabeth Clemens, aged 25, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 5
Dominique Clemens, aged 32, who landed in New York, NY in 1849 5
Anna Maria Clemens, aged 25, who landed in New York, NY in 1849 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clemens Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mrs. Minnie Clemens, (b. 1876), aged 27, Cornish maid travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 6th June 1903 en route to Negaunee, Michigan, USA 6
Mr. William J. Clemens, (b. 1879), aged 24, Cornish stonecutter travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th August 1903 en route to Westerly, Rhode Island, USA 6
Mr. Wallace Clemens, (b. 1878), aged 27, Cornish carpenter travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 23rd June 1905 en route to New York, USA 6

Clemens migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Clemens Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Abraham, Clemens Jr., who arrived in Canada in 1831
Abraham, Clemens Sr., who landed in Canada in 1831
David Clemens, who arrived in Canada in 1831
Henry Clemens, who landed in Canada in 1831
Jesse Clemens, who landed in Canada in 1832

Clemens migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Clemens Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Clemens, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Christine Clemens, aged 23, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Marion" 8
Miss Jane Clemens, (b. 1836), aged 17, Cornish domestic servant departing from Soton aboard the ship "Credenda" arriving in Geelong, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 3rd November 1853 9
Miss Mary Clemens, (b. 1834), aged 19, Cornish dress maker departing from Soton aboard the ship "Credenda" arriving in Geelong, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 3rd November 1853 9
Mrs. Matilda Clemens, (b. 1834), aged 20, Cornish settler departing from Plymouth on 5th September 1854 aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 25th December 1854 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clemens migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Clemens Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Edward Clemens, aged 30, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 10
Mr. Frederick Clemens, (b. 1854), aged 21, Cornish farm labourer departing on 12th October 1875 aboard the ship "Caroline" going to Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 31st January 1876 11
Frederick Clemens, aged 21, a farm labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline" in 1876 12
Miss Rebecca Clemens, (b. 1867), aged 19, Cornish saleswoman departing on 24th April 1886 aboard the ship "Doric" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th June 1886 13

Contemporary Notables of the name Clemens (post 1700) +

Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens (1835-1910), prolific American author of such widely celebrated novels as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of HuckleBerry Finn"
Dan J. Clemens (1945-2019), American politician, Republican Member of the Missouri State Senate (2002-2010)
Major-General Paul Bernard Clemens (1882-1960), American Commanding General 32nd Division (1946) 14
John Barry Clemens (b. 1943), former American professional basketball player
Orion Clemens (1825-1897), the American first and only Secretary of Nevada Territory
Douglas Horace Clemens (b. 1939), American professional baseball player
Sherrard Clemens (1820-1881), American nineteenth century politician and lawyer
Jeremiah Clemens (1814-1865), U.S. senator and novelist from the state of Alabama
Kellen Clemens (b. 1983), American football quarterback
James Brackenridge Clemens (1825-1867), American entomologist
... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Clemens family +

Hindenburg LZ-129

Mr. Karl Otto Clemens (1909-1937), German Photographer from Bonn, Germany, who was a passenger on board the Hindenburg LZ-129 and survived the Airship Fire 15

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The MARION 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Marion.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 4th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Auckland 1872-80 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 3) Paul Clemens. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Clemens/Paul_Bernard/USA.html
Hindenburg Disaster Passenger List | Airships.net. (Retrieved 2014, April 11) . Retrieved from http://www.airships.net/hindenburg/disaster/hindenburg-passenger-list/