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

Cleek, 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 Cleek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cleek in America

Cleek is the 17495th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cleek surname appeared 1,611 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 Cleek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cleek 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 Cleek

The surname "CLEEK" has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "clicce," which referred to a ravine or valley. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with people who lived in or near such geographic features.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Clicc." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England at the time.

By the 13th century, the name had evolved into the spelling "Cleek," as evidenced by records from Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. It is worth noting that the name may have been influenced by the Old French word "cliquet," which means "a latch or catch."

Among the notable individuals who carried this surname was John Cleek, a prominent merchant from York who lived in the late 14th century. He was involved in the wool trade and played a significant role in the city's economic affairs during that period.

In the 16th century, the name Cleek was associated with the village of Cleek Clough in Lancashire. This place name likely derived from the Old English words "clicce" and "clogh," meaning "valley" and "ravine," respectively.

Another historical figure bearing this surname was William Cleek, a renowned clockmaker from London who lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the nobility and wealthy merchants of the time.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Thomas Cleek (1718-1794), a renowned English astronomer and mathematician. He made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and was a member of the Royal Society.

In the 19th century, Edward Cleek (1822-1901) was a prominent industrialist and inventor from Birmingham. He is credited with developing several innovative techniques in the production of steel and was a key figure in the city's industrial revolution.

As the centuries passed, the surname Cleek spread across various regions of England and beyond, carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions. While its origins may be rooted in geographic features, the name has become a part of the rich tapestry of English history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cleek

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

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

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

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