Clarke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Clarke

What does the name Clarke mean?

Although the Clarke 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 Clarke 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 Clarke family

The surname Clarke 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 Clarke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clarke 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 Clarke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clarke Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Clarke family

Samuel Clarke (1599-1683), an English clergyman and significant Puritan biographer
Samuel Clarke (1675-1729), an English philosopher and Anglican clergyman

Clarke World Ranking

the United States, the name Clarke is the 482^nd most popular surname with an estimated 59,688 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Clarke is ranked the 57^th most popular surname with an estimated 36,520 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Clarke is the 634^th popular surname. 4 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Clarke as 15^th with 934 people. 5 Australia ranks Clarke as 33^rd with 47,613 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Clarke as 42^nd with 5,442 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Clarke as 25^th with 114,723 people. 8 South Africa ranks Clarke as 809^th with 8,603 people. 9

Migration of the Clarke family to Ireland

Some of the Clarke 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.

Clarke migration to the United States +

Clarke Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Clarke, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1608 aboard the ship "Second Supply" 11
Richard Clarke, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 aboard the "Mayflower" 11
Thomas Clarke, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 11
Thomas Clarke, who landed in Virginia in 1623 11
Thomas Clarke, (b. 1605), English settler who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clarke Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Christopher Clarke, who arrived in Virginia in 1710 11
Robert Clarke, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1712 11
Frances Clarke, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 11
Sarah Clarke, who landed in Virginia in 1714 11
Darby Clarke, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clarke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francis Clarke, who arrived in Frederick County, Maryland in 1803 11
Patrick Clarke, who landed in America in 1805 11
Thomas Clarke, aged 27, who arrived in New York in 1812 11
Pierson Clarke, aged 36, who arrived in Alexandria, Va in 1817 11
Mathew Clarke, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1818 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clarke Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Thomas Clarke, (b. 1838), aged 65, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th September 1903 en route to Pennsylvania, USA 12
Mr. Thomas Clarke, (b. 1882), aged 21, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to Lake Linden, Michigan, USA 12
Mrs. Hilda Clarke, (b. 1881), aged 24, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd March 1905 en route to Philadelphia, USA 12
John A Clarke, who landed in Arkansas in 1906 11

Clarke migration to Canada +

Clarke Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Dennis Clarke, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Alexander Clarke, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Moses Clarke, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
John Clarke, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Thomas Clarke, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clarke Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Patrick Clarke, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1812
hums Clarke, who arrived in Canada in 1829
Barnet Clarke, who landed in Canada in 1829
William Clarke, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Mary Ann" from Belfast, Ireland
John Clarke, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Mary Ann" from Belfast, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clarke Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Miss M A Clarke, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Clarke migration to Australia +

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

First Fleet

Miss Margaret Clarke, Welsh settler convicted in Radnorshire, Wales in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Mr. Thomas Clarke, British settler convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11

Second Fleet

Mr. James Clarke, British settler convicted in Shropshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "HMS Gorgon" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791, may have died on the ship 11

Third Fleet

Mr. William Clarke, (b. 1764), aged 23, English settler convicted in London on 14th January 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
Mr. John Clarke, (b. 1762), aged 25, English convicted in Exeter, Devon on 7th August 1786, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788, he died aboard the ship 11

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

Clarke Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Jeremiah Clarke, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13

Clarke Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss. Elizabeth Clarke, Irish convict who was convicted in Tipperary, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. John Clarke, (Clark), (b. 1766), aged 37, British convict who was convicted in Derby, England for life for stealing, 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 15
Matthew Clarke, English convict from Southampton, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
William Clarke, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
Miss Mary Clarke, Irish convict who was convicted in Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clarke Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Miss May Ann Clarke, (b. 1869), aged 39, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Ortona" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 27th March 1908 18

Clarke 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:

Clarke Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George Clarke, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
B Edward Clarke, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
George Clarke, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
J Henry Clarke, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
Emma Clarke, aged 23, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clarke Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century

Frederick Clarke, aged 33, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Clarke 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. 20

Clarke Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

William Clarke, aged 20, who landed in St Christopher in 1633 11
William Clarke, aged 19, who landed in Barbados in 1635 11
Robert Clarke, aged 18, who landed in Barbados in 1635 11
George Clarke, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife and servants
Josias Clarke, who arrived in Jamaica in 1689 11

Clarke Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Mr. John Clarke, aged 31, emigrating from Antony, Cornwall to Jamaica, West Indies, to become an indebted servant to Neale Mackneale, a mariner originally from London, England on 14th December 1734 21

Contemporary Notables of the name Clarke (post 1700) +

Sir Arthur Charles Clarke (1917-2008), British science fiction author, inventor, and futurist, most famous for his novel 2001: "A Space Odyssey" 22
Norm Clarke (1942-2025), American sportswriter and reporter, later known for his gossip column in the Las Vegas Review-Journal (1999-2016)
Mae Clarke (1910-1992), born Violet Mary Klotz, an American actress, best known for playing Frankenstein's bride Elizabeth, and for being on the receiving end of James Cagney's halved grapefruit in The Public Enemy
Edith Clarke (1883-1959), American engineer and academic, the first woman to be professionally employed as an electrical engineer in the United States and the first female professor of electrical engineering
Mary Pat Clarke (1941-2024), American politician in Baltimore
Terrence Clarke (2001-2021), American college basketball player for the Kentucky Wildcats in the Southeastern Conference (SEC); he died in a car crash at age 19
Edmund Melson Clarke Jr. (1945-2020), American computer scientist and academic noted for developing model checking, he died from COVID-19
Horace Meredith Clarke (1939-2020), American Major League Baseball second baseman who played from 1965 to 1974
Lydia Marie Clarke (1923-2018), American actress and photographer, and the wife of Academy Award-winning actor Charlton Heston
... (Another 222 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Clarke family +

Dunbar

Mr. Henry Clarke, Australian passenger who died aboard the ship "Dunbar" when she sunk off the coast of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia on 28th August 1857
Mr. James Thomas Clarke, Australian passenger who died aboard the ship "Dunbar" when she sunk off the coast of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia on 28th August 1857
Mr. James Henry Clarke, Australian passenger who died aboard the ship "Dunbar" when she sunk off the coast of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia on 28th August 1857
Mrs. Eleanor Clarke, Australian passenger who died aboard the ship "Dunbar" when she sunk off the coast of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), Australia on 28th August 1857
Mr. John Joseph Clarke, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 23
... (Another 49 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Clarke 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 first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
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 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
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 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to USA 1718 - 1759, Indentured servitude [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_america_1718_59_indentured_servitude.pdf
Arthur Clarke. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Arthur Clarke. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html