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

Cleare, 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 Cleare surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cleare in America

Cleare is the 55962nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cleare surname appeared 366 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Cleare.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cleare 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 Cleare

The surname Cleare is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "clær," meaning "bright" or "clear." This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone with a fair complexion or a bright and cheerful disposition.

The earliest known record of the name Cleare can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as "Clere" in various locations across England. This suggests that the name was already well-established by the late 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the spelling of the name varied considerably, including variants such as Clere, Cleere, Cleare, and Clere. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribes' interpretations.

In the 13th century, the surname Cleare appeared in the records of the Hundred Rolls, a census-like survey conducted in England between 1274 and 1279. This document provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of the name during that time.

One notable individual bearing the surname Cleare was Sir John Clere, a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament who lived in the 14th century. He served as the Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk and was known for his involvement in local affairs.

Another historical figure with the surname Cleare was Thomas Clere, a 16th-century Protestant clergyman and theologian. He was a strong advocate for the Reformation and played a significant role in the religious debates of his time.

In the 17th century, the surname Cleare was associated with several notable individuals, including Edward Clere, a renowned English antiquarian and collector of manuscripts and rare books. His extensive collection is now housed in various libraries and museums across the United Kingdom.

During the 18th century, the name Cleare was found in various parish records and legal documents across England, indicating its continued presence and use throughout the country.

One notable individual from this period was William Cleare, a successful merchant and landowner who lived in the city of Norwich. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed significantly to the local community.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Cleare continued to be present in various parts of England, with individuals bearing this name contributing to various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cleare

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

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

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

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