| ![Show Contents]() Clarence History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland Ireland The ancestors of the Clarence family come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The family name comes from the personal name Laurence. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Labhruinn, which means son of Labhran or son of Laurence. The Clan is believed to be descended from Lorn, son of Erc, who landed in Argyll in 503 AD. Although the lineage before the 12th century is difficult to prove, it has been established that the clan held vast territories called the Braes of Balquhidder. They were recorded as being 'all grand, strong men' and, when the Old Kirk at Balquhidder was being repaired, clan members supervised the exhumation of some of the bodies of ancient members of the clan from the graveyard that was a traditional the burial place of the theirs. They found bones measuring 23 and a half inches long, which makes them big men even by today's standards. Early Origins of the Clarence familyThe surname Clarence was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where in the valley of Loch Voil between the head of Loch Lomond and Loch Earn they were so powerful that it was once said that no one could take his place in church until the MacLaren Clan were properly seated. They were kinsmen of the Celtic Earls of Strathearn and their branches were at Balquidder, Strathearn, Auchleskine, Stank, Druach and Lochearnside. They engaged neighboring Clans in lively feuds but always remained faithful in their allegiance to the Royal House of Stewart. They were hereditary Celtic Abbots of Achtow and derive their name from Abbot Lawrence. For almost a thousand years the gathering place of the Clan has been Creag an Tuirc, the 'Boars Rock' in Achtow, in Balquhidder. This has also been adopted as their slogan. Early History of the Clarence familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clarence research. Another 312 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1344, 1698, 1745 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Clarence History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Clarence Spelling VariationsHistorical recordings of the name Clarence include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include MacLaren, MacLaron, MacLaurin, MacLarty, MacClarence, MacPhater, MacFeeter and many more. Early Notables of the Clarence familyMore information is included under the topic Early Clarence Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Clarence family to Ireland
Some of the Clarence family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 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 Clarence familyDalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Clarence or a variant listed above: John and Patrick McLaren who settled in South Carolina in 1716; Archibald McLaren settled in Savannah in 1821; Daniel, David, James, John, Lawrence, and Peter McLaren all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Clarence (post 1700) | + |
- Duke George Clarence (1449-1478), English Duke of Clarence
- Richard Clarence Clark (1928-2023), American politician who represented the state of Iowa in the United States Senate as a Democrat from 1973 to 1979
- Philip Clarence Fourney, American Publisher, Company Executive, Named to West Virginia Printing Hall of Fame in 1968
- Lt. General Ira Clarence Eaker, US Air Force General who commanded the Eighth Air Force during World War II
- Eric Clarence Puttock (1900-1969), English cricketer for Sussex in 1921, born at Billingshurst, Sussex and was educated at Dover College
- Tommy Clarence Engstrand (1939-2021), Swedish sports journalist, and television host of general interest shows like Razzel and Zick-Zack
- Claude Clarence Crabb (1940-2021), American professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL)
- Percival Clarence Millar AM (1925-2017), Australian politician, Member of the Australian Parliament for Wide Bay (1974-1990)
- Ivan Clarence Morgan (1880-1949), American Republican politician, Postmaster at Austin, Indiana, 1905-14, 1921-33; Indiana Republican State Chair, 1937 1
- General Charles Clarence McDonald (1933-2017), United States Air Force general, Commander of the Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC) from 1989 to 1992
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: Creag an tuirc
Motto Translation: The boar's rock.
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