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

Clair, 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 Clair surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Clair in America

Clair is the 7292nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Clair surname appeared 4,571 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Clair.

We can also compare 2010 data for Clair 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 Clair

The surname Clair has its origins in France, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the French word "clair," meaning "clear" or "bright," which likely referred to a person's complexion or bright, radiant appearance.

One of the earliest known references to the name Clair can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "de Clair," suggesting that it may have been used as a surname for those residing in or near a place called Clair.

During the 12th century, the name Clair appeared in several medieval manuscripts and records, often associated with noble families or individuals of prominence. One notable example is Gérard de Clair, a French knight who participated in the Third Crusade alongside Richard the Lionheart in the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name Clair was linked to several place names in France, such as Clairvaux and Clairmont, indicating that some individuals may have adopted the surname based on their place of origin or residence.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Clair was Jehan Clair, a French poet and writer born in the early 14th century. His work, "Le Roman de la Rose," was highly influential in the development of French literature during the Middle Ages.

Another noteworthy figure was Étienne de Clair, a French architect who lived in the 15th century and is credited with designing several notable buildings, including the Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley.

In the 16th century, the Clair family gained prominence in England, with Sir John Clair (1489-1556) serving as a courtier and diplomat during the reign of Henry VIII.

The 17th century saw the rise of René Clair (1624-1680), a French painter and engraver known for his intricate etchings and engravings, many of which depict religious scenes and portraits.

In the 18th century, the name Clair was associated with the French philosopher and writer, François-Joseph Clair (1714-1787), whose works explored topics such as ethics, philosophy, and the nature of human existence.

As the surname Clair spread across Europe and beyond, it continued to be associated with individuals of note, including the 19th century French composer and pianist, Eugène Clair (1830-1901), whose compositions were widely performed in concert halls across Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Clair

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

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 Clair 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 Clair 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 Clair was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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