NameCensus.

UK surname

Clemo

A Cornish surname derived from the Middle English term "clem" meaning "to starve or go hungry".

In the 1881 census there were 301 people recorded with the Clemo surname, ranking it #9,694 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 374, ranked #12,490, down from #9,694 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Redruth, London parishes and St Mewan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Clemo is 415 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 24.3%.

1881 census count

301

Ranked #9,694

Modern count

374

2016, ranked #12,490

Peak year

2009

415 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Clemo had 301 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,694 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 374 in 2016, ranked #12,490.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 366 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Clemo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Clemo surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Clemo 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 167 #11,936
1861 historical 147 #15,539
1881 historical 301 #9,694
1891 historical 292 #11,351
1901 historical 366 #10,099
1911 historical 287 #11,784
1997 modern 377 #11,508
1998 modern 381 #11,812
1999 modern 392 #11,624
2000 modern 400 #11,402
2001 modern 395 #11,324
2002 modern 393 #11,587
2003 modern 375 #11,808
2004 modern 377 #11,776
2005 modern 378 #11,692
2006 modern 397 #11,317
2007 modern 394 #11,508
2008 modern 394 #11,622
2009 modern 415 #11,386
2010 modern 411 #11,723
2011 modern 399 #11,882
2012 modern 388 #11,996
2013 modern 388 #12,204
2014 modern 389 #12,258
2015 modern 382 #12,322
2016 modern 374 #12,490

Geography

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Where Clemos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Redruth, London parishes, St Mewan, St Austell and Camborne. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 Redruth Cornwall
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Mewan Cornwall
4 St Austell Cornwall
5 Camborne Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 051 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 031 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 052 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 041 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 036 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Clemo

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Clemo

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Clemo, 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 Clemo surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Clemo 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

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

Inner London Working Professionals

Within London, Clemo 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

Clemo is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Clemo 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 Clemo 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 Clemo, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Clemo

The surname Clemo originated in Cornwall, England. It is believed to be derived from the Cornish word "clem," meaning "valley" or "ravine." The name likely referred to someone who lived in or near a valley or ravine.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Clemo can be found in the Assize Rolls of Cornwall from the late 13th century, where it was spelled "Clem." Over time, the name evolved to its modern spelling of "Clemo."

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Clemo name was primarily concentrated in the parishes of St. Austell, Tywardreath, and Creed in Cornwall. Some notable Clemo families during this period included the Clemos of Tregaminion and the Clemos of Polgreen.

The Reverend John Clemo (1573-1641) was a notable figure who served as the Rector of St. Austell from 1614 until his death. He was instrumental in the construction of the Church of St. Austell.

In the 18th century, the Clemo family expanded beyond Cornwall, with some members migrating to other parts of England and even to the American colonies. One such individual was William Clemo (1725-1793), who settled in Virginia and fought in the American Revolutionary War.

The 19th century saw the rise of several prominent Clemo individuals, including the writer and poet Jack Clemo (1916-1994). Born in St. Austell, Clemo gained recognition for his works that explored themes of disability, spirituality, and his Cornish heritage.

Another notable figure was Sir Richard Clemo (1822-1906), a successful businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the town of St. Austell, including funding the construction of the Clemo Public Rooms.

In the early 20th century, the name Clemo continued to be closely associated with Cornwall. One prominent individual was Leonard Clemo (1901-1985), a Cornish artist known for his landscapes and seascapes depicting the rugged beauty of the Cornish coastline.

Throughout its history, the surname Clemo has maintained strong ties to its Cornish roots, with many bearers of the name continuing to reside in the county and contributing to its cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Clemo families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Clemo 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 203 Clemos recorded in 1881 and an index of 62.10x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 203 62.10x
Devon 54 8.99x
Middlesex 20 0.69x
Surrey 8 0.57x
Cumberland 6 2.41x
Cheshire 2 0.31x
Kent 2 0.20x
Somerset 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Austell in Cornwall leads with 35 Clemos recorded in 1881 and an index of 313.34x.

Place Total Index
St Austell 35 313.34x
St Mewan 30 2970.30x
Camborne 24 178.17x
Tavistock 22 321.17x
Redruth 20 216.22x
Phillack 15 355.45x
Linkinhorne 13 570.18x
Poplar London 9 16.52x
St Agnes 9 196.51x
Battersea 8 7.53x
Hennock 8 1052.63x
Lamerton 8 701.75x
St Stephen In Brannel 8 268.46x
Luxulyan 7 642.20x
St Ewe 7 707.07x
St Just In Penwith 7 110.41x
Cleator 6 57.97x
Stoke Damerel 6 14.27x
Bodmin 5 92.42x
Kenwyn 5 58.48x
St George Bloomsbury 5 30.19x
Islington London 4 1.43x
Lidford 4 148.15x
Plymouth Charles The 4 15.11x
East Looe 2 150.38x
Illogan 2 23.12x
Rochester St Margaret 2 19.25x
St Clement 2 58.65x
St Columb Minor 2 72.99x
St Ive 2 95.24x
St Keverne 2 111.11x
Tywardreath 2 95.24x
Chester St John Baptist 1 8.73x
Feock 1 48.78x
Ilminster 1 30.77x
Kensington London 1 0.62x
Liskeard 1 18.28x
Madron Penzance 1 8.41x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.16x
Slapton 1 163.93x
St Anne Soho London 1 6.06x
Stockport Etchells 1 73.53x
Stoke Climsland 1 47.85x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Elizabeth 18
Jane 13
Annie 8
Emily 6
Catherine 5
Ellen 5
Ann 4
Martha 4
Ada 3
Anne 3
Bessie 3
Caroline 3
Elizth. 3
Fanny 3
Margaret 3
Amelia 2
Edith 2
Elizabett 2
Emma 2
Hannah 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Maud 2
Sarah 2
Susan 2
Clara 1
Claressa 1
Eliz.K. 1
Eliza 1
Elizth.G. 1
Eva 1
Georgina 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Harriott 1
Jemima 1
Jessie 1
Julie 1
Kitty 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Lilian 1
Lillie 1
Lily 1
Lovedy 1
Mabal 1
Malinda 1
Maria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 30
John 13
Joseph 11
Charles 8
Richard 8
George 6
Thomas 6
Frederick 5
James 5
Andrew 4
Samuel 3
Arthur 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Walter 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Elias 1
Frank 1
Henry 1
Joel 1
Josiah 1
Nicholas 1
Rd.H. 1
Robert 1
Saml.N. 1
Simeon 1
Simon 1
Stanley 1
Thos. 1
W.H. 1
Will. 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Clemo surname: questions and answers

How common was the Clemo surname in 1881?

In 1881, 301 people were recorded with the Clemo surname. That placed it at #9,694 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Clemo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 374 in 2016. That gives Clemo a modern rank of #12,490.

What does the Clemo surname mean?

A Cornish surname derived from the Middle English term "clem" meaning "to starve or go hungry".

What does the Clemo map show?

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