NameCensus.

UK surname

Cleare

A locational surname originating from a place called Cleare in England.

In the 1881 census there were 130 people recorded with the Cleare surname, ranking it #16,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 77, ranked #33,236, down from #16,911 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Waltham St Lawrence, Burnham, Dorney and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swansea, Bournemouth and Salford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cleare is 225 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 40.8%.

1881 census count

130

Ranked #16,911

Modern count

77

2016, ranked #33,236

Peak year

1891

225 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 1998

Key insights

  • Cleare had 130 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,911 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 77 in 2016, ranked #33,236.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 225 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Cleare surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cleare surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cleare 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 148 #13,028
1861 historical 164 #14,188
1881 historical 130 #16,911
1891 historical 225 #13,714
1901 historical 176 #16,401
1911 historical 204 #14,784
1997 modern 115 #24,834
1998 modern 114 #25,589
1999 modern 110 #26,315
2000 modern 99 #27,845
2001 modern 95 #28,101
2002 modern 104 #27,303
2003 modern 93 #28,829
2004 modern 88 #29,758
2005 modern 81 #30,740
2006 modern 83 #30,808
2007 modern 90 #30,228
2008 modern 87 #30,999
2009 modern 86 #31,612
2010 modern 83 #32,396
2011 modern 85 #32,127
2012 modern 80 #32,877
2013 modern 80 #33,058
2014 modern 79 #33,205
2015 modern 79 #33,127
2016 modern 77 #33,236

Geography

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Where Cleares are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Waltham St Lawrence, Burnham, Dorney, London parishes, Sudbury All Saints, Sudbury St Gregory, Sudbury St Peter, Sudbury St Bartholomew and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swansea, Bournemouth, Salford, Canterbury and East Staffordshire. 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 Waltham St Lawrence Berkshire
2 Burnham, Dorney Buckinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Sudbury All Saints, Sudbury St Gregory, Sudbury St Peter, Sudbury St Bartholomew Suffolk
5 St John Hackney London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swansea 016 Swansea
2 Bournemouth 024 Bournemouth
3 Salford 014 Salford
4 Canterbury 007 Canterbury
5 East Staffordshire 003 East Staffordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cleare

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cleare

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Cleare surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Cleare household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

Inner London Working Professionals

Within London, Cleare is most associated with areas classed as Inner London Working Professionals, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. 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 primarily Inner London neighbourhoods are more densely populated than the Supergroup average. Residents have a younger over-all age profile than the Supergroup as a whole, and are less likely to be owner occupiers. Full time employment is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup and multiple car ownership is uncommon. Chinese and non-EU-born European migrants are less in evidence than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cleare is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cleare falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cleare 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 Cleare, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Cleare

The surname Cleare is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "clær," meaning "bright" or "clear." This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone with a fair complexion or a bright and cheerful disposition.

The earliest known record of the name Cleare can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as "Clere" in various locations across England. This suggests that the name was already well-established by the late 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the spelling of the name varied considerably, including variants such as Clere, Cleere, Cleare, and Clere. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribes' interpretations.

In the 13th century, the surname Cleare appeared in the records of the Hundred Rolls, a census-like survey conducted in England between 1274 and 1279. This document provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of the name during that time.

One notable individual bearing the surname Cleare was Sir John Clere, a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament who lived in the 14th century. He served as the Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk and was known for his involvement in local affairs.

Another historical figure with the surname Cleare was Thomas Clere, a 16th-century Protestant clergyman and theologian. He was a strong advocate for the Reformation and played a significant role in the religious debates of his time.

In the 17th century, the surname Cleare was associated with several notable individuals, including Edward Clere, a renowned English antiquarian and collector of manuscripts and rare books. His extensive collection is now housed in various libraries and museums across the United Kingdom.

During the 18th century, the name Cleare was found in various parish records and legal documents across England, indicating its continued presence and use throughout the country.

One notable individual from this period was William Cleare, a successful merchant and landowner who lived in the city of Norwich. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed significantly to the local community.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Cleare continued to be present in various parts of England, with individuals bearing this name contributing to various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cleare families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cleare 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. Middlesex leads with 49 Cleares recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.86x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 49 3.86x
Berkshire 19 19.96x
Essex 17 6.79x
Surrey 11 1.78x
Buckinghamshire 10 13.05x
Durham 7 1.86x
Suffolk 6 3.89x
Devon 4 1.52x
Kent 3 0.69x
Yorkshire 2 0.16x
Cornwall 1 0.70x
Hampshire 1 0.38x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 18 Cleares recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.32x.

Place Total Index
Hackney London 18 25.32x
West Ham 12 21.72x
Waltham St Lawrence 10 2702.70x
Spitalfields London 8 83.86x
Burnham 7 714.29x
Kyo 7 393.26x
St Pancras London 5 4.90x
Wanstead 5 114.16x
Cookham 4 134.68x
Penge 4 49.38x
St Bartholomew Great 4 347.83x
Sudbury St Peter 4 470.59x
Lambeth 3 2.71x
Lewisham 3 13.00x
Mile End Old Town London 3 11.12x
Reading St Giles 3 32.12x
Taplow 3 652.17x
Bethnal Green London 2 3.63x
Bradford 2 6.57x
Fulham London 2 10.88x
Highweek 2 212.77x
Islington London 2 1.63x
Little Bookham 2 2500.00x
Newington 2 4.27x
Sudbury St Gregory 2 161.29x
Basingstoke 1 33.44x
Bray 1 35.71x
Hampstead London 1 5.06x
Hendon 1 21.93x
Hornsey 1 6.24x
Newton Abbot St Mary 1 45.25x
Paddington London 1 2.15x
St Marylebone London 1 1.48x
St Stephen In Brannel 1 76.34x
Tilehurst 1 52.08x
Wolborough 1 29.94x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

FAQ

Cleare surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cleare surname in 1881?

In 1881, 130 people were recorded with the Cleare surname. That placed it at #16,911 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cleare surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 77 in 2016. That gives Cleare a modern rank of #33,236.

What does the Cleare surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place called Cleare in England.

What does the Cleare map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cleare 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.