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.

Discover how your Clare ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Clare Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Clare family

Profession Census Frequency
Independent 89
Female Servant 85
Agricultural Labourer 80
Labourer 45
Farmer 27
Male Servant 26
Weaver 21
Shoe Maker 19
Silk Weaver 17
Cotton Weaver 16
Ag Labourer 16
Tailor 15
Carpenter 14
Dress Maker 11
Painter 10
Lace Maker 9
Publican 9
Blacksmith 9
Piecer 8
Clerk 8
Milliner 8
Ag Lab 7
Servant 7
Smith 6
Coal Miner 6

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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