Show ContentsClarage History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Clarage comes from the given name Clarice, a very popular personal name during the Middle Ages. 1 This name is of metronymic origin. In this case the original bearer of the surname was the mother, whose children were named after her first name.

The name may also have originally been from Normandy as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Muriel de la Clergesse, Normandy, 1198. 2

Early Origins of the Clarage family

The surname Clarage was first found in Cambridgeshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has two entries for the same individual with two different spellings: Henry serviens Claricie, Cambridgeshire; and Henry serviens Clarugge, Cambridgeshire. 1

Early History of the Clarage family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clarage research. Another 38 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1653, 1656, 1660, 1695, 1705, 1728 and 1780 are included under the topic Early Clarage History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clarage Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Clarage were recorded, including Claridge, Clarridge, Clarges, Clargeis, Claredge, Clarredge, Claradge, Clarradge, Claridges, Clarridges, Claredges and many more.

Early Notables of the Clarage family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas Clarges (c 1618-1695), an English politician, Member of Parliament for the Sheriffdoms of Ross, Sutherland, and Cromarty in 1656, Member of Parliament for Westminster in 1660, he was a important messenger between Richard Cromwell and Charles II. George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle noted in his letter to Charles II telling him that "he chose to send Mr. Clarges to...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Clarage Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Clarage family to Ireland

Some of the Clarage family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Clarage family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Clarage family emigrate to North America: Esther Claridge who settled in Philadelphia in 1820; with James, Joseph, Phillip, and Samuel; Samuel Claradge settled in Pennsylvania in 1682.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)


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