Surname Cleare - Meaning and Origin

Cleare: What does the surname Cleare mean?

The last name Cleare is of English origin and is said to come from the Old English words 'clure' or 'claere', which mean 'clear'. It is thought that the name originally referred to someone who was of a clear complexion or had a light-colored hair or a bright or light-colored eye, or perhaps a person who could see far into the distance or see clearly in the dark.

The Cleare surname belongs to the category of topographic English surnames, which were used to describe the area of residence of the bearers of the name. In this sense, Cleare may have been used to refer to a person who lived in a particularly clear or unclouded area, or one located by a clear shore or lake.

It is also possible that the name could have derived from the Old English words 'cleofan' or 'clife', which can mean either a cliff or a hill, and that the original bearer of the name lived near or on top of either of these features.

In some cases, the surname Cleare has also been said to be a variant of the Scottish surname Cleir, which is derived from an Old Gaelic personal name Clair, derived from 'cldir', which means "illustrious" or "brightness".

Overall, the name Cleare is generally thought to refer to someone of a light complexion or with a clear area of residence, or even someone with clarity of vision. Whatever its origin, it remains a popular and enduring surname in many parts of the world.

Cleare: Where does the name Cleare come from?

The last name Cleare is most commonly found in Ireland. It originated in the 11th century when a Norman settler, Richard de Clare, came to Ireland and took the title "Earl of Clare". Since then, the name has become quite commonplace in Irish society. Today, it can be found in most regions of the country as well as in large Irish-American communities around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In Ireland, the name is most heavily concentrated in the eastern provinces, such as Dublin, Leinster, and Connacht. It is also quite common in the north, although somewhat less so than in the south. Within these areas, Cleare is often used as either a surname or a given name.

When it comes to the United States, the name Cleare is much less common. The last name is primarily found in counties with a large Irish-American population, such as in Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. It is also quite common in some parts of California, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Overall, the last name Cleare is still quite popular today. It is one of the most common surnames in Ireland and is slowly becoming more widespread in the United States.

Variations of the surname Cleare

The surname Cleare originates from England and Ireland. It was derived from the Old English words 'claru' and 'claeru' meaning bright, clear, famous, and glorious. Variations and spellings of the Cleare surname include Clare, Clary, Cleary, Clark, Clerk, Clarey, Clair, Cleere, Cleaeres, Cleaers, and Cleares.

In England the Cleare surname is predominately found in the counties of Norfolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Huntingdonshire. In Ireland it is most common in counties Cavan, Meath, Dublin, Westmeath, Limerick, Tipperary, and Kerry.

The Cleare surname is linked to several prominent people, such as John Cleaers, the Northern Irish Protestant politician in the 1960s who was part of the Unionist movement; John Clare, the poetic genius of the 19th century; and John Clarey, who was the Commissioner of Police in London in 1920.

Many Cleares in England and Ireland can be traced back to a Norman family of Clare who came to Cork in 12th century. They had a prominent and influential position in the area. This family was part of a larger Norman ancestry called de Clare. They were ancestors of the first modern earls of Clare and Hertford.

Today, the Cleare surname can be found in many countries around the world such as in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and many other countries. This is due to the high amount of immigration from these countries in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Famous people with the name Cleare

• David Cleare: Actor, producer, and screenwriter known for his roles in series such as The Mysteries of Laura, Brothers & Sisters, and Scandal.
• Tevis Cleare: American professional basketball player for the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA G-League.
• Deja Cleare: American actor and singer best known for her role in the film Lemonade.
• June Cleare: American author and poet whose works include The House Is Older Than The Trees and The Impossibilities of Clara Addams.
• Cathy Cleare: Award-winning British music photographer whose works have appeared in major publications such as Vanity Fair, Billboard, and Rolling Stone.
• Jeffery Cleare: American actor and producer best known for his roles in the television series House of Payne and Southland.
• John Cleare: British poet whose volumes of poetry include The Last Regular and The Cold Not Enough.
• Sherry Cleare: Lead singer and guitarist for the Florida-based band The Sherry Cleare Experience.
• Harry Cleare: Former English professional football (soccer) player and manager.
• Anna Cleare: Popular British YouTuber and makeup artist with over 200,000 subscribers.

Other surnames

ClearkeCleary