Show ContentsMcClymont History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name McClymont originated with the Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled Britain. It is derived from the given name Clement which means the son of Clement. The name is from Latin origin and applies to a mild or merciful individual. 1 The name gained popularity in Medieval Europe when it was borne by an early saint who was a disciple of St. Paul, and later when the name was used by several early popes.

Spelling variations of the family were wide and varied: "A charter of 1153 of Agnes de Sibbeford, wife of Ralph Clement, is witnessed by Hugo Clement and William, son of Ralph Clement, who is later called Willelmus Clemens, with a brother Robertus Clemens (1155 Templars)." 1

Early Origins of the McClymont family

The surname McClymont was first found in Brecknock, in the Welsh princedom of Powys, located in the border country between Wales and England. A bearer of Clement is said to have arrived in the Norman Conquest of England with Bernard Newmarche. Together they later fought in Brecon where they conquered the Lordship of Caron; after this battle Clement was given land at Llangorse Lake and at Cathedine.

There is a record of a grant of these lands to Geoffrey Clement made at Westminster by Edward 1 on the 10th February 1290. There has also long been a family of this name in Oxfordshire, where record of the Knights Templar show William and Richard Clement in 1153, and Robertus Clemens in 1155. 1

The name was "enormously popular in the 13th century. Hence as a surname itself and its variants will be immortalized in our directories." 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Eustace filius Clement, Oxfordshire; Hugh Clement, Cambridgeshire; Richard Clemence, Huntingdonshire; Matthew Clemens, Oxfordshire; Peter filius Clement, Salop (Shropshire); and Clemens Janitor, Norfolk. 2

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Clemens Alius Elenoe; Johannes Clement; and Petrus Clementson as all holding lands as that time. 2

In Scotland, "the following spellings all occur in 1684 (Parish): MacClymont, McClamont, McClamot, McClemen, McClement, MeClemin, McClymon, McCIymond, and McLymond, and Clymont. McClymonts are mentioned as farmers in Ayrshire in 1613. James McClymont, witness in Carrick, 1687." 3 The name is thought to have been "from Gaelic MacLaomuinn, 'son of Lamont.' In the Dean of Lismore's Book we find McClymont along with Clynelymyn (i.e. Clan Lamont). M'Lagmanid 1358, MacLagmayn 1410, Mc Laiman 1802, M'Lawmane c. 1353." 3

Early History of the McClymont family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McClymont research. Another 166 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1162, 1210, 1233, 1258, 1273, 1379, 1489, 1508, 1570, 1572, 1594, 1626, 1660, 1685, 1742, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McClymont History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McClymont Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name McClymont has appeared include Clements, Clement, Clemens, Climer and others.

Early Notables of the McClymont family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Clement of Dunblane (d. 1258), a Dominican friar, and close associate of King Alexander II of Scotland, who was made Bishop of Dunblane; and Gregory Clement (1594-1660), an English Member of Parliament (MP) and one of the regicides of King Charles I, he was hanged, drawn and quartered at Charing Cross on 17 October 1660.Margaret Clements or Clement (1508-1570), was a learned lady, whose maiden name was...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McClymont Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McClymont family to Ireland

Some of the McClymont family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 123 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


McClymont migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name McClymont arrived in North America very early:

McClymont Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Peter McClymont, who arrived in America in 1844 4
McClymont Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • James McClymont, who landed in Colorado in 1904 4

McClymont migration to Australia +

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

McClymont Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Robert McClymont, Scottish convict from Ayr, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on October 16, 1826, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 5

McClymont 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:

McClymont Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J. McClymont, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ulcoats" in 1864
  • David McClymont, aged 56, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • Isabella McClymont, aged 49, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • Frederick McClymont, aged 14, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • Robert McClymont, aged 9, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McClymont (post 1700) +

  • Gregg McClymont (1976-2011), Scottish Labour Party politician, Shadow Minister for Pensions (2011-)
  • Gordon Lee "Bill" McClymont AO (1920-2000), Australian agricultural scientist, ecologist, and educationist
  • Mollie Therese McClymont (b. 1987), Australian country musician, member of the trio The McClymonts who have won seven Golden Guitars and two ARIA Awards
  • Samantha Kate McClymont (b. 1986), Australian country musician, member of the trio The McClymonts who have won seven Golden Guitars and two ARIA Awards
  • Brooke Maree McClymont (b. 1981), Australian country musician, member of the trio The McClymonts who have won seven Golden Guitars and two ARIA Awards
  • William "Willie" McClymont (b. 1953), former Scottish footballer


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. 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)
  4. 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)
  5. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Andromeda voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1826 with 147 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1826


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