Find out how popular the first name Clarance has been for the last 36 years (from 1974 to 2009) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Clarance by gender

Based on the last 36 years of data, Clarance is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2009, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Clarance.

The history of the first name Clarance

The name Clarance has its origins in the Latin language, deriving from the Roman family name Claudius. The name Claudius itself is believed to come from the Latin word "claudus," meaning "lame" or "crippled." The earliest known usage of the name Clarance can be traced back to the Middle Ages, around the 11th or 12th century.

In the early centuries of its existence, the name Clarance was primarily associated with members of the nobility and upper classes. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Clarance of Hauteville, a Norman knight who fought in the First Crusade in the late 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name Clarance also gained popularity among the royal families of Europe. One notable figure was Clarance, Duke of Calabria, who lived in the late 14th century and was a member of the Angevin dynasty that ruled parts of southern Italy and France.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spellings and variations, including Clarence, Clarens, and Clarenze. In England, the name gained prominence with the birth of Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence, in 1338. He was the third son of King Edward III and a prominent figure during the Hundred Years' War.

Another famous bearer of the name was George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence, who lived from 1449 to 1478. He was the younger brother of King Edward IV of England and was executed for allegedly plotting against his brother.

Beyond the royal and noble circles, the name Clarance also found its way into the literary world. One of the most notable examples is the character of Clarance in William Shakespeare's play "Richard III," written around 1592.

In the realm of religion, the name Clarance has been associated with several prominent figures throughout history. One such individual was Clarance of Arles, a 5th-century bishop and saint revered in parts of France and Italy.

Other notable individuals with the name Clarance include Clarance Darrow (1857-1938), a renowned American lawyer and leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, and Clarance Birdseye (1886-1956), an American inventor best known for developing the process of flash freezing food.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Clarance was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Clarance, please contact us.

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