Clark Family Crest and Name History

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Clark PDF Surname History


The Ancient History Of The Distinguished Surname Clark

Clark

Contents

Clark history with Clark Family Crest
Clark Motto Translated
Suggested Readings for Clark
Surname Notables

Clan Badge of Clark

Septs of Clark

About Family Crests

Clark Products

Origins Available: English, Scottish

Where did the Scottish Clark family come from? What is the Scottish coat of arms/family crest? When did the Clark family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

Although the Clark 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. Thus, the name Clark 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.

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

First found in the counties on both sides of the border between England and Scotland. There is a record of a James the Clerk, witnessing a charter in Dumfriesshire in 1249.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edward Clark, who landed in Virginia in 1635; Joe Clark, who landed in Virginia in 1635; Anne Clark, who landed in Virginia in 1663; Henry Clark, who landed in Barbados in 1680.

Motto Translated: In God have I trusted.

For more information on the last name Clark, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.

Suggested Readings for the name Clark

Adam's Ancestors (including the Clark Family) by Thomas Nathan Clark.

Some noteworthy people of the name Clark

Dick Clark (b. 1929), well-known entertainer and broadcaster who hosted "American Bandstand" for over 30 years
Dr. Laurel B Clark (1961-2003), NASA astronaut who worked as a mission specialist on the space shuttle Columbia
Ann Nolan Clark (1896-1995), American writer
Abraham Clark (1726-1794), American signer of Declaration of Independence
General Wesley Kanne Clark KBE (b. 1944), American general of the United States Army and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO from 1997 to 2000
Major General Mark Wayne Clark (1896-1984), American general during World War II and the Korean War. Among his awards and decorations are the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Grand Croix Légion d'honneur
William Mansfield Clark (1884-1964), American chemist
Robert "Bob" Clark (1941-2007), award winning American film director, producer, and writer best known for "A Christmas Story" (1983)
Technical Sergeant Francis J Clark (1912-1981), American Army soldier awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1944
Michael Clark (b. 1962), well-known Scottish ballet dancer
Jim Clark (1936-1968), Scottish racing driver
Sir Kenneth Mackenzie Clark (1903-1983), Lord of Saltwood, English art historian and writer
Charles Manning Hope Clark (b. 1915), Australian historian
Graeme Milbourne Clark AC, FRS (b. 1935), Australian responsible for the pioneering research and development of the Bionic Ear appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (Australia’s highest civil honor) in 2004
Sir Grahame Douglas Clark CBE, FBA (1907-1995), English archaeologist
Prime Minister Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark (b. 1939), Canadian politician and Prime Minister from 1979 to 1980

Clark Clan Badge

A clan is a social group made up of a number of distinct branch-families that actually descended from, or accepted themselves as descendants of, a common ancestor. The word clan means simply children. The idea of the clan as a community is necessarily based around this idea of heredity and is most often ruled according to a patriarchal structure. For instance, the clan chief represented the hereditary "parent" of the entire clan. The most prominent example of this form of society is the Scottish Clan system...

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Septs of the Distinguished Name Clark
Clark, Clerk and more.

Tell Me More About Family Crests

Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist

We have researched the Clark family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline

Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements

In the Clark coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate

We encourage you to study the Clark genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Clark Family Crest Products

Anniversary

Anniversary products for the name Clark.

Apparel

Apparel proudly displaying the Clark coat of arms.

Armorial histories

Armorial histories for the name Clark.

Ceramics

Ceramics with the coat of arms for the name Clark.

Clan Badges

Clan Badges for the name Clark.

Clip art

Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.

Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms for the name Clark.

Downloads

Downloads displaying the Clark family crest.

Family Crest

Family Crest for the name Clark.

Family Tree

Family Tree revealing the family crest for the surname Clark.

Hand Painted Plaques

Hand Painted Plaques emphasing the Clark family crest.

Keychains

Keychains proudly displaying the Clark coat of arms.

Mouse pads

Mouse pads emphasing the family crest for the name Clark.

New Products

New Products featuring the family crest for the surname Clark.

Packages

Packages displaying the Clark family crest.

Plaques and Frames

Plaques and Frames proudly displaying the Clark family crest.

Surname Histories

Surname Histories for the name Clark.

Symbolism

Symbolism displaying the family crest for the name Clark.

Travel Mugs

Travel Mugs proudly displaying the Clark coat of arms.

Popular Products
	Armorial History With Coat of Arms
	Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
	Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 300 DPI
	Key-chain
	Coffee Mug
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	Framed Surname History and Coat of Arms

The Clark Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Clark Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.