Clare Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Clare Name Meaning: Habitational name from 'Clare' in Suffolk,most likely combined with a celtic river name,meaning 'bright','calm',or 'warm'. Possibly baptismal from the French 'Claire',translating as 'bright of fair'.

Irish nameholders also trace their heritage from the same sources, Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, and better known as 'Strongbow' was the great leader of the Anglo-Norman Invasion of Ireland in 1170.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Clare Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Clare family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 543
Agricultural Labourer 106
Dress Maker 41
Labourer 38
Coal Miner 30
House Servant 23
Servant 22
House Keeper 21
General Servant 19
Fustian Cutter 18
Blacksmith 17
Carpenter 14
Tailor 13
Cotton Weaver 13
Farm Labourer 12
Carter 11
Nurse 11
Wife Of Above 10
Joiner 10
Cotton Power Loom Weaver 10
Shoe Maker 10
Wife 9
Laundress 9
Power Loom Weaver 9
Ribbon Weaver 9

Clare Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Clare 100% 33,757
2 Clear 60% 5,193
3 Cleare 83% 2,079
4 Clair 60% 1,531
5 Clara 80% 1,062
6 Cooler 33% 684
7 Cluer 40% 630
8 Coler 40% 422
9 Colier 33% 397
10 Clore 80% 266
11 Cleaer 50% 245
12 Clure 80% 231
13 Clere 80% 202
14 Caler 40% 172
15 Claire 83% 161
16 Clar 80% 131
17 Cleere 67% 127

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The surname Clare is the most popular version of all its varients

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