Show ContentsClewer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the Clewer family were born. Their name comes from the Gaelic word Mac-Giolla-Uidhir, which literally means son of the pale youth or son of Odhar's servant. [1]

Early Origins of the Clewer family

The surname Clewer was first found in Ayrshire and Galloway, where John McLur and Robert McLure were first listed as followers of the Earl of Casilis in 1526. A few years later in 1532, Tomas Maklure was sergeant of Assize in Carrick. Interestingly, the earliest evidence of a Clan piper was Robert MacLure who was piper to the chief of the Buchanans in 1600. [1]

Early History of the Clewer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clewer research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1660, 1720, 1723, 1729, 1807, 1857, 1873 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Clewer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clewer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. Clewer has been spelled MacClure, MacLure, MacCloor, McLeur, McCloor and others.

Early Notables of the Clewer family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was J. Cluer, an engraver and publisher of music, who carried on business in Bow Churchyard, London, in the middle of the first...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Clewer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Clewer family to Ireland

Some of the Clewer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 139 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Clewer migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Clewers to arrive on North American shores:

Clewer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Conrad Clewer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 [2]
Clewer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. M.J. Clewer, aged 31, who landed in America, in 1897
Clewer Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Raginald Clewer, aged 15, who settled in America, in 1921
  • Ernest Clewer, aged 42, who immigrated to the United States, in 1922
  • Edward Clewer, aged 49, who landed in America from Shough, England, in 1923

Australia Clewer migration to Australia +

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

Clewer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Joshua Clewer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Diadem" in 1840 [3]

Contemporary Notables of the name Clewer (post 1700) +

  • Brian Clewer (1928-2008), American long-time radio host of "Cynic's Choice"
  • Selby Clewer (1917-2001), award-winning English architect


The Clewer Motto +

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: Spectemur agendo
Motto Translation: Let us be judged by our actions.


  1. 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)
  2. 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)
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The barque DIADEM 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Diadem.htm


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