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

Clue, 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 Clue surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Clue in America

Clue is the 156044th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Clue surname appeared 104 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 Clue.

The history of the last name Clue

The surname "Clue" originated in England, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "cloh," meaning a ravine or valley, suggesting that the name may have been initially used to identify individuals who resided in or near such geographical features.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname "Clue" was John de la Clohe, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. This record provides evidence of the name's existence and usage during the Middle Ages in England.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as "de la Clowe" and "atte Cluwe," reflecting the evolution of spelling and pronunciation over time. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and scribal practices of the era.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and resources commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not include any direct references to the surname "Clue." However, it does mention several place names that may have been related to the name's origin, such as "Clohangra" in Gloucestershire and "Clohes" in Shropshire.

Notable individuals bearing the surname "Clue" throughout history include:

1. Richard Clue (c. 1530-1592), an English merchant and explorer who led expeditions to the West Indies and South America in the 16th century.

2. Margaret Clue (c. 1620-1685), a prominent Quaker leader and author who played a significant role in the early development of the Religious Society of Friends in England.

3. Sir John Clue (1682-1745), a British naval officer who served during the War of the Spanish Succession and became a renowned admiral in the Royal Navy.

4. Thomas Clue (1725-1798), an English architect and surveyor known for his work on several notable buildings in London, including the Foundling Hospital.

5. Elizabeth Clue (1790-1860), a British philanthropist and social reformer who advocated for the improvement of living conditions for the working class and campaigned for the abolition of slavery.

The surname "Clue" has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Clue Hill in Shropshire and Clue Cross in Lancashire. These locations may have been named after individuals bearing the surname or vice versa, reflecting the deep-rooted connection between surnames and geographic locations in the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Clue

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

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 Clue 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.

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

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

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