Surname Clenny - Meaning and Origin

Clenny: What does the surname Clenny mean?

The last name Clenny is of English origin and is derived from the Old English elements 'clan' or 'clenne', which both mean 'clear'. It is likely that the surname was originally bestowed on a person or a family of people who lived in a settlement that was in close proximity to a body of water, such as a river, that was particularly clear. Alternately, it may have been given to somebody who had a particularly clear complexion or who was known for their honesty. Over time, the surname has also become associated with the English nickname "Clennie," which alludes to a person who is neat and tidy or even militant in their cleanliness.

The surname Clenny also carries connotations of cleverness and intelligence, as it is derived from the Old English word 'clene' that means ‘clever’. Belief in the power of a surname to identify the character and capabilities of its owner was once widespread, so the good standing that the surname Clenny has come to carry probably grew from this old belief.

The name Clenny is still commonly found in England and Scotland today, where it is typically found on the east coast and up into the midlands. It is also found in a number of other countries, such as Ireland and the United States. Even with its long history, there are still members of the Clenny family who are carrying on the tradition of neatness, cleverness and intelligence associated with this proud surname.

Clenny: Where does the name Clenny come from?

The last name Clenny is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, especially in England and it appears to have origins in the south-west of the country. It is thought to be an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname from Ireland, Clannachain. The name is not particularly common, and there are only a few hundred people known to use the surname currently.

The Surname Database lists the largest cluster of Clenny-named people is located in the English county of Kent. There are numerous smaller clusters of individuals with the Clenny last name located in various areas throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.

Elsewhere, the surname is present in smaller numbers in the United States, where it is thought to have been taken by immigrants from the British Isles during the 19th century. There are also a number of individuals with the Mrs. Clenny surname in Australia, believed to be descended from immigrants from the same era.

In addition, the name Clenny is believed to be present in small amounts in Canada, New Zealand, and a few other countries around the world. In the 2000 U.S. Federal Census, there were 120 individuals listed with the last name Clenny.

Variations of the surname Clenny

The variants, spellings, and surnames of Clenny are Clennie, Clenny, Clinnie, Cliney, Cline, Clinee, Climie, Climey, Clymie, and Clymy. Clenny is an English habitational surname that was derived from places called Cleny, Clenny, or Clinney. The origin of the surname is believed to come from an Old English term for 'rock water' or 'spring water'.

Clennie, Clenny, and Clinnie are the most common variants of the surname. Cline and Clinee are phonetic spellings of the name which were commonly used in Scotland. Climie, Climey, Clymie, and Clymy are alternate spellings of Clenny which are found throughout England and Scotland.

Clenny is a unique population surname in the United Kingdom, most commonly found in Lincolnshire, the county where the surname originated. It is also found in Ireland in counties such as Dublin, where some of the Scots-Irish immigrants who settled there after the Highland Clearances of the late 18th century brought the name with them.

The Clenny surname is still present today in the British Isles, although it is considered a rare name, and has spread to other countries around the world, including the United States and Canada. Research into the Clenny surname can be done through the family tree databases, which list names, families, and locations of the people who bear the name.

Famous people with the name Clenny

• Neil Clenny: an American football fullback and linebacker who played nine seasons in the NFL, from 1933 to 1941.
• Shawn Clenny: an American soccer player who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
• John Clenny: an English ecclesiastical lawyer, historian, and author.
• William Clenny: an English politician who represented the constituency of Clitheroe in the House of Commons from 1679 to 1685.
• Liam Clenny: an American former professional ice hockey center.
• Victor Clenny: an Australian cricketer who played in five Tests in 1927.
• Paul Clenny: a Canadian cross-country skier who competed in the early 1990s.
• Cherrelle Clenny: a British actress known for her roles in “Brookside” and “The Infiltrator”.
• J. W. Clenny: an American writer and historian, perhaps best known as the author of the 1896 book, “The Centennial History of the Chippewa Valley and Its People”.
• Harold Clenny: an English cricketer who played first-class cricket between 1914 and 1926.

Other surnames

Clenney