Surname Clack - Meaning and Origin

Clack: What does the surname Clack mean?

The last name Clack is of English origin. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle English word "clack," meaning "flat stone used as a pavement." During the Middle Ages, this type of paving was popular in many towns and cities and the job of installing it required a specific skill set.

Clack was a popular last name in the 1600s and 1700s mainly in the Derbyshire area of the UK. In the mid-1800s, the name began to spread to other parts of the country. It was especially common in rural areas, as those in the countryside often used flat stones to pave their roads and paths.

The name Clack has a variety of spellings and variations. Depending on the area, spellings such as Clacke, Clackie, and Clucky have been used. Given this versatile spelling, it is likely that multiple families may have adopted the same surname.

Today, many families of the UK, America, and Australia have links to the Clack surname, all tracing back to the English origin. Many of the Clack descendants have gone on to have a variety of professions around the world, showing the versatility of the name and its range of roots.

Clack: Where does the name Clack come from?

The last name Clack is most commonly found in the United States today. The 2000 US Census listed nearly 1,500 people with Clack as their last name. According to the 2000 Census Bureau, it was the 4,582nd most common surname in the US.

The Clack surname was likely brought over to the US from England or Scotland. While the name does not appear to exist in England, it is more common in Scotland. In fact, it is listed as the 1,296th most common name there. In 2018, the Scottish Clack clan was believed to be the most populous of its kind in Scotland with thousands of members.

Today, the Clack name is found in many places throughout the US, including the Midwest, East Coast, and Southwest. There are also Clacks living in places away from the US, such as France, India, Uganda, and South Africa. It appears to be a rare but growing surname, with a rising number of people bearing the name.

Variations of the surname Clack

The Clack surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. Clack can be spelled Claack, Clacks, Claacke, Klak, Klack, and Klacke. It is also known by its patronymic German variant of Clackmann.

The Clack surname is derived from a Middle English word 'clakke' meaning spoon; as such, the surname may have originally been an occupational name for a spoon-maker. It could also have been derived from the Middle English word 'clakken', meaning 'to neigh like a horse'. This could have been used as a nickname for someone that made a loud noise.

The Clack surname is also popularly associated with the Scottish clan 'Clan Clack'. Clan Clack is believed to have been established by an ancestor of the Clack surname in the late 1800s. The clan's tartan is a bright yellow and red design, and they are represented in Scotland's internal government of the Highland Council.

In more modern history, the Clack surname is linked to prominent individuals like Captain John Clack (1804–1874) and James T. Clack (1917-2003), both American military heroes. The Clack surname has also spread around the world, primarily to countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany.

Famous people with the name Clack

• Steven Clack- Steven Clack is a bassoonist, conductor, and instructor of woodwinds. He is the principal bassoonist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and a professor of Bassoon at the University of Northern Colorado.
• Camilla Clack- Camilla Clack is a British economist and author, specializing in health economics and economic evaluations. She has authored several books, including Health Economics and Policy.
• Bill Clack- Bill Clack is a former British singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the group The Clack Family. He is also known for his collaborations with the likes of The Who, the Animals and Thomas Dolby.
• Corey Clack- Corey Clack is an American professional basketball player and former college point guard for the Colorado State Rams.
• Bruce Clack- Bruce Clack is a former American football running back and return specialist who played college football for the University of Nevada, Reno and professional football for the NFL's San Diego Chargers.
• Dave Clack- Dave Clack is an American film and television actor, best known for his roles in the TV series Spin City and Law & Order.
• Amanda Clack- Amanda Clack is a British business executive and the current president of the Church Investors Group, as well as a non-executive director of Legal & General Group.
• John Clack- John Clack is an English musician and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist and songwriter of the band Heaven 17.
• Caroline Clack- Caroline Clack is an American opera singer and vocal coach, who has appeared in many theatre and operatic productions.
• Giles Clack- Giles Clack is a British musician and music producer, best known for his work with artists such as Pulp, Status Quo, The Libertines, Manic Street Preachers and Roxy Music.

Other surnames

ClacksonClackston