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

Clegg, 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 Clegg surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Clegg in America

Clegg is the 4414th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Clegg surname appeared 8,045 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Clegg.

We can also compare 2010 data for Clegg 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 Clegg

The surname Clegg originated in England and dates back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Old English word "claeg" or "cleg," which referred to a type of biting fly or a small hillock.

The Clegg surname was first recorded in Lancashire, where it was particularly prevalent in the areas around Manchester and Bolton. It is believed that the name may have been initially used as a nickname for someone who lived near a hillock or was known for their persistence, akin to a biting fly.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Clegg surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Clegge" in the county of Lancashire. This historical document provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames across England at the time.

In the 13th century, records show the name Clegg being used in various forms, such as "de Cleg" and "atte Clegge," reflecting the evolution of surnames during that period. The "de" and "atte" prefixes indicated a person's association with a particular place or feature.

Notable individuals throughout history who bore the Clegg surname include John Clegg (1585-1658), an English Puritan clergyman and religious writer; Samuel Clegg (1781-1861), a British industrialist and inventor of the atmospheric railway; and Sir John Clegg (1876-1952), a British businessman and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of Manchester.

Another significant figure was Samuel Bamford Clegg (1828-1905), a British engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of the cotton industry. He held several patents for textile machinery and was recognized for his innovative work.

In the realm of literature, the surname Clegg gained prominence through the works of British author and playwright Samuel Clegg (1781-1861), known for his plays and novels set in the industrial towns of Lancashire.

The Clegg surname has a rich history that spans centuries, with its origins rooted in the Old English language and its earliest records found in the Domesday Book. While the name may have evolved over time, it continues to be associated with its English heritage and the areas around Lancashire.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Clegg

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

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

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

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