Clark History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Clark

What does the name Clark mean?

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. 1

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. Even today, the word and profession "clerk" is typically pronounced "clark" throughout the United Kingdom.

Early Origins of the Clark family

The surname Clark was first found in the counties on both sides of the border between England and Scotland. Early Scottish records show Roger Clericus held a land between 1174 in Kelso, Thomas Clericus was one of those appointed in 1246 to determine the right marches of Wester Fedale and James the clerk was witness to a charter by Richard de Bancori of land in Dumfriesshire in 1249. A few years later, "nine persons named 'le clerk,' rendered homage for their possessions, 1296." 1

The Clarks were not a full-fledged clan; rather they were probably a sept of the ecclesiastic Clan MacPherson, although the Camerons also show a tie with the Clarks and Clarksons. Even though Clerk or Clark was primarily a name given to those of a specific occupation, the Celtic Church of the north would undoubtedly have assumed an order that was very clan-like.

The Clarks would also have been amongst the most educated and wise people to have lived in Scotland, and as conveyors of the Christian faith their power and authority would have often matched that of chiefs. The Feudal System initiated by Ceanmore in southern Scotland, was more fully implemented by the Norman King David I, who often made abbots as powerful as Chiefs, granting them extensive tracts of land and power. Clarks, then, would have certainly held a special role of authority as individuals, if not as a clan.

Early History of the Clark family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clark research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1406, 1599, 1675, 1683, 1729, 1770, 1775, 1838, 1859 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Clark History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clark Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Clark family

Richard Clark of Montrose, who became vice-admiral of Sweden in the 17th century
Sir James Clark, a physician to the King
Samuel Clarke (1599-1683), an English clergyman and significant Puritan biographer
Samuel Clarke (1675-1729), an English philosopher and Anglican clergyman
Thomas Clark (1775-1859), a Canterbury shoemaker (cordwainer) and a prolific composer of West Gallery music
William Clark (1770-1838), American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor, best remembered as leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Clark World Ranking

the United States, the name Clark is the 21^st most popular surname with an estimated 574,497 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Clark is ranked the 39^th most popular surname with an estimated 42,977 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Clark is the 331^st popular surname with an estimated 138 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Clark as 28^th with 49,590 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Clark as 32^nd with 5,668 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Clark as 27^th with 111,235 people. 7 South Africa ranks Clark as 877^th with 7,949 people. 8

Migration of the Clark family to Ireland

Some of the Clark family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clark migration to the United States +

Clark Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Clark, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 10
Thomas Clark, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 10
William Clark, who landed in Nantasket, Massachusetts in 1630 10
John Clark, who arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1632 10
William Clark, who arrived in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1633 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clark Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Eliza Clark, who landed in Virginia in 1701-1702 10
Zach Clark, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 10
Honnery Clark, who arrived in North Carolina in 1702 10
Ben Clark, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 10
Danll Clark, who landed in Virginia in 1704 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clark Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Zachariah Clark, who landed in America in 1801-1802 10
William Clark, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1804 10
Elnr Clark, who arrived in America in 1805 10
Francois Clark, who arrived in Louisiana in 1805-1809 10
Patrick Clark, who landed in Louisiana in 1805-1809 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clark Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Miss Jessie Clark, (b. 1892), aged 11, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th September 1903 en route to Pennsylvania, USA 11
Mrs. Mary Clark, (b. 1849), aged 54, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th September 1903 en route to Pennsylvania, USA 11
George Henry Clark, who arrived in Alabama in 1917 10

Clark migration to Canada +

Clark Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Alexander Clark, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Alexander Clark, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mary Clark, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Thom Clark, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Rd Clark, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clark Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Clark, who landed in Canada in 1831
Mary Clark, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
William Clark, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
Francis Clark a painter, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Zephyr" in 1833
Ann Clark, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Zephyr" in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clark migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Miss Catherine Clark, (1770 - 1828), aged 18, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9

Third Fleet

Mr. James Clark, (b. 1753), aged 34, English settler convicted in London on 6th April 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
Miss Elizabeth Clark, (b. 1767), aged 20, English settler convicted in Derby, Derbyshire on 11th January 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10

Following the First and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Clark Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. John Clark, (b. 1770), aged 27, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Miss Mary Clark, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13

Clark Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Charles Clark, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 14
Mr. John Clark, British convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 14
William Clark, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 15
Miss Mary Clark, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Charles Clark, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clark 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:

Clark Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

David Clark, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Glenbervie" in 1840 18
George Clark, aged 20, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
Archibald Clark, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
C Clark, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Peter Clark, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clark migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Clark Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Richard Clark, (b. 1613), aged 21, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 10
Mr. John Clark, aged 24, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 10
Mr. Richard Clark, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Peter Bonaventure" arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 20
Mr. Thomas Clark, (b. 1609), aged 26, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 21
Mr. William Clark, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clark Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Timothy Clark, who landed in Jamaica in 1786 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Clark (post 1700) +

Roy Linwood Clark (1933-2018), American singer and musician, best known for having co-hosting Hee Haw, the nationally televised country variety show, from 1969 to 1997, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009
William Clark (1770-1838), American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor, best remembered as co-leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean
Caitlin Clark (b. 2022), American three-time gold medalist college basketball player for the Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten Conference
John Bullock Clark Sr. (1802-1885), American militia officer who was given the Extermination Order during the 1838 Mormon War
Shawn Clark (1975-2025), American college football coach, served as the head football coach at Appalachian State University (2019-2024), offensive line coach at the University of Central Florida (2025)
Irma Clark Coleman (1937-2025), politician from the U.S. state of Michigan, Democratic member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 3rd district (2003-2010), a member of the Michigan House of Representatives (1999-2002)
Enid Ernestine Clark (1922-2010), American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Gurthalee Clark (1919-1990), née Walker, American sergeant in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Ann Nolan Clark (1896-1995), née Nolan, American writer who won the 1953 Newbery Medal
... (Another 67 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Clark family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mr. Wiliam Henry Clark (1912-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Takanini, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 22
Ms. Iris Clark (1914-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Takanini, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 23
Ms. Irene Alice Clark (1904-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Belmont, Lower Hutt, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 23
Mr. David Clark (1919-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Mt. Wellington, East Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 23
Jonathan Clark (b. 1816), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
... (Another 65 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Clark 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: In Deo speravi
Motto Translation: In God have I trusted.

Sources +

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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx