Surname de Clint - Meaning and Origin

de Clint: What does the surname de Clint mean?

The last name de Clint is thought to be of Huguenot origin, specifically from descendants of the Huguenot refugees who arrived in England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The English version of the name is derived from the Old French ‘de Clincourt’, which is derived from the Middle Dutch ‘kluerd', meaning enclosure or shelter. It is also likely derived from the Old Germanic ‘klingen’ meaning ‘to resound/ring.’

The French de Clincourt was changed to de Clint for a more English spelling, an example of how foreign pre- and post-migration names were Anglicized.

Given the origin of the name de Clint, those who bear the name have an illustrious history. The de Clincourt family originated in Burgundy in the 10th century, and the name was first brought to England by Huguenots fleeing persecution in Europe during the Protestant Reformation.

The de Clincourt family members were prominent in the worlds of politics, law, banking and science in England, particularly during the height of the British Empire. One notable de Clincourt was William de Clincourt, a French Huguenot who, in 1779, was a Director of the East India Company.

The surname de Clint also has a connection to numerous geographical landmarks. For example, the Tasmanian cities of Clint Town and Clint Hill are named in honour of the de Clincourt family who settled there in the 1830s.

Today, the surname de Clint is found across the United Kingdom, Australia, and other English-speaking countries. It is a reminder of the family’s long and varied history, and its turbulent uprooting from Burgundy and subsequent migrations across Europe and beyond.

de Clint: Where does the name de Clint come from?

The last name de Clint is common mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium. It is one of the ancient French aristocratic surnames, a family of Norman origin. It's believed to have come from a man called Clint, a name derived from Old English, meaning of the valley.

The name is believed to have been first adopted when a Norman/Flemish knight, Clarendon, adopted the name Clint while in service to the King of Britain. From here the family spread, social climbing the ranks and becoming an important noble family. Although the family surname is now scattered across continental Europe, their original centre was in the Netherlands and Belgium. Today, it remains popular in those countries, with above-average numbers of people who either have adopted the De Clint surname or are descended from an ancestor who did.

In the Netherlands, De Clint is a rare but well established name. The highest density is in the provinces of North Brabant and Limburg, where up to 10% of the population have the name. It is also frequently found in the neighbouring provinces of Gelderland and Noord-Holland.

In Belgium, De Clint is the 11th most common surname there. It is widely found in the Flemish Region, mainly in the east and direct centre of the country. It is also spread across the Brussels region, as well as the Dutch-speaking West Flanders province.

In both countries, De Clint families are well respected and enjoy a lengthy history of nobility and status within society.

Variations of the surname de Clint

The surname de Clint is believed to have originated in France. The variants include DeClint, De Clint, Ue Clint, UeClint, Den Clint, and DenClint. It is also the case that over the generations, it has been spelled differently or contracted by some – as such, a few other variants of the same origin are possible, such as DesClint, Declint, D'Clint, and other forms.

Many people who have the surname de Clint also have a family coat of arms which may include symbols of lions, roses, and ships. These can be used to trace back the origins of the family.

The descendants of the surname de Clint are also said to have spread throughout the world, which has led to many different versions of the surname surfacing in different countries and even in different languages. For instance, some branches of the de Clint family can be found in French-speaking countries as "de Clins," in Dutch-speaking areas as "de Kleint," and in English-speaking countries as "Clint."

Due to the various countries in which the surname is seen, there may also be less common variants such as de Clinte (in France), Linte (in the Netherlands), and Klint (in Germany).

Finally, there may be surnames that have evolved out of de Clint over the years, such as Cloete, Cline, Klinedinst, and Kline.

Overall, many different versions of the surname de Clint exist, each with its own distinctive variants or spellings. Tracing the history of the surname offers a fascinating insight into how its usage has changed over time and in various contexts.

Famous people with the name de Clint

• Samuel de Clint, French actor and filmmaker.
• Emy de Clint, American actress, screenwriter, and director.
• Robert de Clint, British actor and filmmaker.
• Jean-Louis de Clint, French film director and producer.
• Dennis de Clint, Dutch actor, director, and producer.
• Martine de Clint, French actress and singer.
• Jean de Clint, French filmmaker.
• Florent de Clint, French actor and director.
• Francois de Clint, French actor.
• Julian de Clint, French actor and director.

Other surnames

de Clinton