NameCensus.

UK surname

Clash

An occupational surname referring to a person employed in battles or conflicts.

In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Clash surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 134, ranked #25,636, up from #31,604 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Debden. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Caerphilly and Lochside and Lincluden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Clash is 214 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 857.1%.

1881 census count

14

Ranked #31,604

Modern count

134

2016, ranked #25,636

Peak year

1861

214 bearers

Map years

5

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Clash had 14 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,604 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016, ranked #25,636.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 214 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Clash surname distribution map

The map shows where the Clash surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Clash surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Clash over time

The 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 22 #29,378
1861 historical 214 #11,365
1881 historical 14 #31,604
1891 historical 116 #21,766
1901 historical 63 #27,134
1911 historical 77 #25,106
1997 modern 131 #22,927
1998 modern 127 #23,940
1999 modern 127 #24,125
2000 modern 127 #24,121
2001 modern 126 #23,883
2002 modern 136 #23,296
2003 modern 130 #23,672
2004 modern 130 #23,902
2005 modern 138 #22,999
2006 modern 133 #23,711
2007 modern 138 #23,478
2008 modern 136 #24,004
2009 modern 138 #24,276
2010 modern 129 #25,900
2011 modern 124 #26,367
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 118 #27,686
2014 modern 126 #26,781
2015 modern 129 #26,226
2016 modern 134 #25,636

Geography

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Where Clashs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Debden, Bedminster and St James and St Paul. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Caerphilly and Lochside and Lincluden. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Debden Essex
4 Bedminster Somerset
5 St James and St Paul Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Caerphilly 018 Caerphilly
2 Caerphilly 019 Caerphilly
3 Caerphilly 022 Caerphilly
4 Lochside and Lincluden Dumfries and Galloway
5 Caerphilly 023 Caerphilly

Forenames

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First names often paired with Clash

These lists show first names that appear often with the Clash surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Clash

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Clash, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Clash surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Clash household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Clash is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Clash is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Clash falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Clash is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Clash, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Clash

The surname CLASH is derived from the Old English word 'clacc', which means a clash or loud noise. This name likely originated in England during the medieval period, possibly referring to someone who was noisy or worked as a blacksmith or metalworker, professions that involved loud clanging sounds.

The earliest recorded instance of the CLASH surname dates back to the 13th century in Suffolk, England. A record from 1273 mentions a Richard le Clacche, which is an early spelling variation of the name. Another early reference is found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1301, where a William Clash is listed.

During the 14th century, the CLASH name appears in various records across different regions of England. In the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, a John Clash is mentioned. Additionally, the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379 include an entry for a Thomas Clayshe, which is likely another variation of the CLASH spelling.

One notable individual with this surname was Sir Edward Clash (1495-1578), a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He held estates in Northamptonshire and was knighted by the Queen in 1567.

In the 17th century, the CLASH name gained some literary significance. Robert Clash (1612-1686) was an English poet and playwright who authored several works, including the play "The Generous Portugals" and a collection of poems titled "Poetical Miscellanies."

Another historically significant figure was John Clash (1720-1795), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War. He commanded several ships and was involved in various battles against the American and French forces.

Moving into the 19th century, James Clash (1819-1882) was a Scottish-born engineer who played a crucial role in the development of early railroads in the United States. He worked on several notable projects, including the construction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

In the realm of academia, William Clash (1867-1941) was a renowned historian and scholar of medieval English literature. He served as a professor at Oxford University and authored numerous books and publications on topics related to Chaucer and other medieval writers.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the CLASH surname throughout history, spanning various fields and professions across different time periods and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Clash families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Clash surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Gloucestershire leads with 7 Clashs recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.16x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 7 26.16x
Durham 2 4.93x
Somerset 2 9.11x
Yorkshire 2 1.48x
Northamptonshire 1 7.79x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St James In in Gloucestershire leads with 3 Clashs recorded in 1881 and an index of 769.23x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St James In 3 769.23x
Bristol St Paul In 3 422.54x
Cottingham 2 689.66x
Dawdon 2 400.00x
Taunton St Mary 2 500.00x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 39.68x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 153.85x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Clash surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 1
Harriet 1
Mary 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Clash surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Alfred 2
John 2
Thos. 2
Herbett 1
James 1
Robert 1

Top occupations

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 Clash households.

FAQ

Clash surname: questions and answers

How common was the Clash surname in 1881?

In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Clash surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Clash surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016. That gives Clash a modern rank of #25,636.

What does the Clash surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person employed in battles or conflicts.

What does the Clash map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Clash bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.