Find out how popular the last name Clack is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Clack.

Clack, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Clack surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Clack in America

Clack is the 9286th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Clack surname appeared 3,505 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Clack.

We can also compare 2010 data for Clack to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Clack

The surname Clack has its origins in the English language, tracing back to the Middle English period of the 12th to 15th centuries. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "clacc" or "clacce," which referred to a loud noise or clattering sound.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Clack can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is mentioned in relation to landowners and tenants in various counties, suggesting its widespread use during the Norman era.

In the 13th century, the surname Clack appeared in various legal and historical documents, such as the Curia Regis Rolls and the Hundred Rolls. These records provide insight into the lives and activities of individuals bearing the name during that time period.

The name Clack may have also been influenced by certain place names or geographical locations, particularly those associated with noisy environments or areas near watermills or forges where clattering sounds were common. Some examples include Clackclose in Westmorland and Clackmannan in Scotland.

Notable individuals with the surname Clack throughout history include:

1. John Clack (c. 1550 - 1615), an English clergyman and author who wrote a treatise on the Book of Revelation.
2. William Clack (1670 - 1745), a prominent English clockmaker and inventor from London.
3. Mary Clack (1736 - 1819), a British author and educator known for her influential works on female education.
4. Samuel Clack (1798 - 1867), a British engineer and inventor who patented several innovations in the textile industry.
5. George Clack (1882 - 1958), an Australian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia.

While the surname Clack may have originated from a descriptive term for a loud noise or clattering sound, it has since evolved and been carried by individuals from various walks of life, leaving an indelible mark on history through their contributions and achievements.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Clack

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Clack.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Clack was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Clack has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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