NameCensus.

UK surname

Clemens

Derived from the Latin "clemens," meaning gentle, merciful, or mild-tempered.

In the 1881 census there were 608 people recorded with the Clemens surname, ranking it #5,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 592, ranked #8,814, down from #5,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Gluvias and St Columb Minor. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Isle of Wight.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Clemens is 665 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.6%.

1881 census count

608

Ranked #5,765

Modern count

592

2016, ranked #8,814

Peak year

2000

665 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Clemens had 608 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 592 in 2016, ranked #8,814.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 627 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Clemens surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Clemens surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Clemens 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 552 #4,585
1861 historical 374 #6,826
1881 historical 608 #5,765
1891 historical 596 #6,422
1901 historical 610 #6,981
1911 historical 627 #6,613
1997 modern 627 #7,894
1998 modern 646 #7,949
1999 modern 641 #8,050
2000 modern 665 #7,799
2001 modern 615 #8,138
2002 modern 650 #7,942
2003 modern 613 #8,191
2004 modern 596 #8,389
2005 modern 586 #8,414
2006 modern 575 #8,550
2007 modern 586 #8,515
2008 modern 604 #8,367
2009 modern 618 #8,400
2010 modern 618 #8,587
2011 modern 612 #8,546
2012 modern 608 #8,522
2013 modern 625 #8,464
2014 modern 621 #8,566
2015 modern 611 #8,619
2016 modern 592 #8,814

Geography

Back to top

Where Clemens' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Gluvias, St Columb Minor and Kenwyn, Tregavethan. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Isle of Wight. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gluvias Cornwall
4 St Columb Minor Cornwall
5 Kenwyn, Tregavethan Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 069 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 065 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 067 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 008 Cornwall
5 Isle of Wight 014 Isle of Wight

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Clemens

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Clemens

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Clemens surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Clemens 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Clemens is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Clemens is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Clemens falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Clemens

The surname Clemens is of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Clemens, which means "merciful" or "gentle." This name has its roots in ancient Rome, where it was initially used as a personal name.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Clemens can be traced back to the medieval period in various regions of Europe, particularly in Germany, France, and the Low Countries. It was often used as a descriptive surname, referring to individuals who were known for their gentle or merciful nature.

In the 12th century, the name Clemens appeared in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that the name had already spread beyond its original Latin roots and was being used as a surname in England at that time.

One notable bearer of the surname Clemens was Clemens Alexandrinus, also known as Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215 CE), an influential Christian theologian and philosopher. Another prominent figure was Clemens Romanus, or Clement of Rome (c. 35-99 CE), an early Christian bishop and one of the Apostolic Fathers.

In the 14th century, a German poet and writer named Clemens Brentano (1778-1842) gained recognition for his contributions to the Romantic literary movement. His works, such as "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" (The Youth's Magic Horn) and "Godwi," became influential in their time.

During the Renaissance period, the surname Clemens was also associated with the Italian painter and architect Girolamo Muziano (1532-1592), also known as Girolamo Muziano Clemens. He was renowned for his frescoes and altarpieces, particularly in Rome and other Italian cities.

In the 19th century, the American writer and humorist Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), better known by his pen name Mark Twain, became one of the most celebrated authors in American literature. His works, including "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," are considered literary classics.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the surname Clemens throughout history, highlighting its longevity and diverse cultural associations across different regions and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Clemens families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Clemens 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. Cornwall leads with 262 Clemens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.15x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 262 39.15x
Devon 62 5.04x
Middlesex 52 0.88x
Lanarkshire 35 1.83x
Worcestershire 25 3.24x
Lancashire 22 0.31x
Cumberland 19 3.73x
Hertfordshire 18 4.42x
Northumberland 15 1.71x
Hampshire 14 1.16x
Yorkshire 13 0.22x
Bedfordshire 11 3.59x
Essex 11 0.94x
Gloucestershire 8 0.69x
Surrey 8 0.28x
Angus 5 0.91x
Staffordshire 5 0.25x
Kent 4 0.20x
Renfrewshire 4 0.87x
Carmarthenshire 2 0.80x
Midlothian 2 0.25x
Warwickshire 2 0.13x
Brecknockshire 1 0.85x
Derbyshire 1 0.11x
Monmouthshire 1 0.23x
Oxfordshire 1 0.27x
Royal Navy 1 1.42x
Sussex 1 0.10x
Wiltshire 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Columb Minor in Cornwall leads with 83 Clemens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1476.87x.

Place Total Index
St Columb Minor 83 1476.87x
St Gluvias Penryn 25 466.42x
St Just In Penwith 24 184.90x
East Budleigh 20 344.83x
Chelsea London 17 9.54x
Kenwyn 16 91.43x
Sancreed 14 736.84x
Cambuslang 12 62.27x
Madron Penzance 12 49.30x
Crowan 10 188.68x
Millom 10 64.10x
Weston 10 510.20x
Pershore Holy Cross 9 181.82x
Plymouth Charles The 9 16.60x
St Keyne 9 2727.27x
Stoke Damerel 9 10.45x
Truro St Mary 9 160.14x
Barrow In Furness 8 8.39x
Hackney London 8 2.41x
Paul 8 65.79x
Barony 7 1.45x
Byker 7 16.10x
Cramlington 7 60.24x
Gloucester St John Baptist 7 93.46x
Liskeard 7 62.50x
Middlesbrough 7 9.18x
Rickergate 7 65.00x
Rutherglen 7 24.96x
Arlesey 6 155.44x
Fulham London 6 7.00x
Kings Norton 6 8.67x
St Erth 6 147.78x
Stoke 6 120.48x
Aldershot 5 12.32x
Dundee 5 2.45x
Glasgow 5 1.47x
Ickleford 5 438.60x
Luton 5 9.44x
Paddington London 5 2.30x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 5.27x
Portsea 5 2.11x
Sennen 5 337.84x
St Clement 5 71.53x
Stoke Upon Trent 5 2.36x
Whistones 5 89.45x
Burnley 4 6.77x
East Stonehouse 4 16.50x
Kensington London 4 1.22x
Phillack 4 46.30x
Southwark St John 4 22.12x
St Buryan 4 144.93x
Stoke Newington London 4 8.69x
Tavistock 4 28.53x
Toxteth Park 4 1.68x
Walthamstow 4 9.52x
West Ham 4 1.55x
Ashwell 3 93.75x
Battersea 3 1.38x
East Looe 3 110.70x
Old Monkland 3 3.95x
Pershore St Andrew 3 70.42x
Pudsey 3 9.58x
St Columb Major 3 54.05x
St Gluvias 3 80.00x
Aston 2 0.49x
Cathcart 2 8.07x
Deptford St Paul 2 1.29x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 0.63x
Gwinear 2 63.09x
Ilfracombe 2 15.79x
Islington London 2 0.35x
Little Bolton 2 2.22x
Llanelly 2 3.56x
Middle Greenock 2 16.00x
Saddleworth 2 4.43x
St Cleer 2 34.48x
St Hilary 2 102.56x
St Pancras London 2 0.42x
Stratfieldsaye 2 172.41x
Whitechapel London 2 3.43x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 40
Elizabeth 29
Jane 13
Emily 12
Sarah 10
Ann 9
Annie 8
Hannah 7
Amelia 6
Bessie 6
Caroline 6
Eliza 6
Ellen 6
Alice 5
Catherine 5
Emma 5
Grace 5
Susan 5
Louisa 4
Martha 4
Ada 3
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Fanny 3
Florence 3
Margaret 3
Amy 2
Barbara 2
Beatrice 2
Eleanor 2
Harriett 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Mable 2
Matilda 2
Mildred 2
Rebecca 2
Anna 1
Besse 1
Celecia 1
Celia 1
Christanna 1
Clara 1
Clare 1
Dorcas 1
Frances 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Helvia 1
Triphena 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Clemens surname: questions and answers

How common was the Clemens surname in 1881?

In 1881, 608 people were recorded with the Clemens surname. That placed it at #5,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Clemens surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 592 in 2016. That gives Clemens a modern rank of #8,814.

What does the Clemens surname mean?

Derived from the Latin "clemens," meaning gentle, merciful, or mild-tempered.

What does the Clemens map show?

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