UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname Clarkin, derived from a diminutive form of the given name Clark.
In the 1881 census there were 31 people recorded with the Clarken surname, ranking it #29,218 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #29,218 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Eccles and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Clarken is 163 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 71.0%.
1881 census count
31
Ranked #29,218
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1861
163 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Clarken surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Clarken surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 23 | #29,205 |
| 1861 | historical | 163 | #14,242 |
| 1881 | historical | 31 | #29,218 |
| 1891 | historical | 54 | #29,849 |
| 1901 | historical | 13 | #32,633 |
| 1911 | historical | 17 | #31,675 |
| 1997 | modern | 9 | #37,214 |
| 1998 | modern | 9 | #37,189 |
| 1999 | modern | 7 | #37,513 |
| 2000 | modern | 10 | #37,001 |
| 2001 | modern | 10 | #36,852 |
| 2002 | modern | 12 | #36,679 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 10 | #37,180 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 6 | #37,837 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 6 | #38,024 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Eccles, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Manchester and Birkin. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 3 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Birkin | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Clarken surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Clarken, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Clarken surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Clarken household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Clarken is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Clarken is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Clarken, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Clarken originated in Ireland in the early 17th century. It is believed to be a variant of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Cleirchín, which means "descendant of the little clerk or cleric." This suggests that the Clarken name may have been derived from an ancestor who was a member of the clergy or had some association with the church.
The Clarken surname is most commonly found in County Galway, particularly in the areas around Athenry and Loughrea. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to parish records and land deeds from the mid-1600s in these regions.
One notable historical reference to the Clarken name is in the Petty Census of Ireland, conducted in 1659 by Sir William Petty. This census recorded several Clarken households in County Galway, providing valuable insight into the distribution and prevalence of the name during that time period.
Among the earliest recorded individuals with the Clarken surname was John Clarken, born around 1630 in Athenry, County Galway. He was a landowner and farmer whose name appears in various land records and property deeds from the late 17th century.
Another notable figure was Michael Clarken (1745-1820), a prominent merchant and trader in Loughrea, County Galway. He was involved in the export of wool and other goods to England and played a significant role in the local economy during his lifetime.
In the 19th century, Patrick Clarken (1820-1895) was a well-known teacher and scholar in County Galway. He taught at several local schools and was respected for his dedication to education and his extensive knowledge of Irish history and literature.
The surname Clarken also has connections to the United States, with several individuals emigrating from Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One such individual was Thomas Clarken (1873-1945), who settled in Boston, Massachusetts, and worked as a carpenter and builder.
Another notable figure was Mary Clarken (1885-1965), born in County Galway, who immigrated to New York City in the early 1900s. She was an active member of the Irish-American community and played a role in preserving Irish cultural traditions in her adopted city.
Overall, the Clarken surname has a rich history deeply rooted in County Galway, Ireland, with ties to the clergy, landownership, education, and commerce. While the name may have evolved from its original Gaelic form, it has maintained a strong presence and continues to be associated with its Irish heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Clarken surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 8 Clarkens recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.18x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 8 | 8.18x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 2.32x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 1.39x |
| Nottinghamshire | 4 | 9.81x |
| Renfrewshire | 3 | 12.80x |
| Angus | 2 | 7.14x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 3.57x |
| Selkirkshire | 1 | 36.50x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fulham London in Middlesex leads with 7 Clarkens recorded in 1881 and an index of 159.45x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Fulham London | 7 | 159.45x |
| East Kilbride | 6 | 1428.57x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 4 | 37.95x |
| Neilston | 3 | 254.24x |
| Dundee | 2 | 19.12x |
| Manchester | 2 | 12.39x |
| Pemberton | 2 | 139.86x |
| Aberdeen Old Machar | 1 | 17.09x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 1 | 35.09x |
| Govan | 1 | 4.13x |
| Shettleston | 1 | 113.64x |
| Stow | 1 | 2500.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Clarken surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Clarken surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Clarken households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Brewers Drayman | 1 |
| Brewers Drayman Wife | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer In Machine Shop E & M Maker | 1 |
| Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Lace Warehouse | 1 |
| Machinist | 1 |
| Railway Fireman | 1 |
| Retired Farmer | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 31 people were recorded with the Clarken surname. That placed it at #29,218 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Clarken a modern rank of #37,705.
A variant spelling of the English surname Clarkin, derived from a diminutive form of the given name Clark.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Clarken bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.