Contents [hide]

Clemens History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

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

German surnames developed at a time when most of the German provinces were states of the Holy Roman Empire. At first people used only a single name, but as the population grew and people began to travel, they began to find it necessary to take on an additional name to differentiate themselves. Fairly general principles guided the development of hereditary surnames in Germany. Two of the common types of family names found in Germany are patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and matronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name.

Early Origins of the Clemens family

The surname Clemens was first found in Saxony, where the family contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation and would later play a large role in the political conflicts of the area. The family branched into many houses, many of which acquired estates and manors throughout the surrounding regions, where they played significant roles in the social and political affairs. The name refers back to St. Clemens, the patron saint of sailors. Individual bearers of this name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include Nicolas Clemmenter (1332) of Bohemia.

Early History of the Clemens family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clemens research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1543, 1556, 1558, 1560, 1710, 1744, 1780 and 1790 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 of this family name include: Klemmenz, Klemmentz, Klemmens, Klemments, Klemens, Clemmens, Clemens, Clemmenz, Clemmentz, Clemments, Clementz, Klementz, Klemenz, Klements, Klemmz, Klemmtz, Klemz, Klemts, Klemtz, Klemment, Klement, Clemment, Clement, Klems, Klemmt (Silesia), Klemt (Silesia), Klemmenter, Clemmenten, Clemmenter and many more.

Early Notables of the Clemens family

Prominent bearers of the family name Clemens at this time were

Jacob Clement (Clemens), one of the most renowned 16th century composers. He was born in Flanders, and succeeded Gombert as chief Chapel-master to Charles V. Of the time and place of hia birth or deat...

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. 1

Clemens migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Clemens Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Anthony Clemens, who arrived in America in 1620 2
William Clemens, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 2
Robert Clemens, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1642 2
Eliz Clemens, who landed in Virginia in 1654 2
Dan Clemens, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 2
... (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 2
Michell Clemens, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 2
Gottfried Clemens, who arrived in North Carolina in 1754 2
Jacob Clemens, who arrived in America in 1754 2

Clemens Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Johann G Clemens, aged 31, who arrived in Missouri in 1842 2
Adam Clemens, aged 49, who arrived in Missouri in 1848 2
Elisabeth Clemens, aged 25, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 2
Dominique Clemens, aged 32, who landed in New York, NY in 1849 2
Anna Maria Clemens, aged 25, who landed in New York, NY in 1849 2
... (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 3
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 3
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 3

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 4
Christine Clemens, aged 23, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Marion" 5
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 6
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 6
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 6
... (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 7
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 8
Frederick Clemens, aged 21, a farm labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline" in 1876 9
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 10

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) 11
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 12

Citations +

"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/