UK surname
A surname derived from the Old English word "clifer" meaning clever or skillful.
In the 1881 census there were 41 people recorded with the Clever surname, ranking it #27,870 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 26, ranked #36,254, down from #27,870 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Deddington, Sedgley and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Clever is 256 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 36.6%.
1881 census count
41
Ranked #27,870
Modern count
26
2016, ranked #36,254
Peak year
1861
256 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Clever surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Clever surname density by area, 1891 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 | 129 | #14,406 |
| 1861 | historical | 256 | #9,667 |
| 1881 | historical | 41 | #27,870 |
| 1891 | historical | 118 | #21,540 |
| 1901 | historical | 87 | #24,386 |
| 1911 | historical | 49 | #27,894 |
| 1997 | modern | 9 | #37,214 |
| 1998 | modern | 12 | #36,790 |
| 1999 | modern | 11 | #36,917 |
| 2000 | modern | 9 | #37,119 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 9 | #37,101 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 16 | #36,766 |
| 2009 | modern | 17 | #36,753 |
| 2010 | modern | 21 | #36,530 |
| 2011 | modern | 20 | #36,587 |
| 2012 | modern | 17 | #36,811 |
| 2013 | modern | 20 | #36,614 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 22 | #36,493 |
| 2016 | modern | 26 | #36,254 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Deddington, Sedgley, St Pancras, Manchester and Collingham, South. 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 | Deddington | Oxfordshire |
| 2 | Sedgley | Staffordshire |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Collingham, South | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Clever 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 Clever, 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 Clever surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Clever 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, Clever 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 Clever is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Clever, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Clever is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, possibly as early as the 12th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "clufi," which meant "cliff" or "steep hill." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify someone who lived near or on a cliff or steep hill.
The earliest known reference to the name Clever can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1191, where it is recorded as "de Clufa." This early spelling variation reflects the name's origins and provides insight into its evolution over time.
In the 13th century, the name appears in various records, including the Curia Regis Rolls of Wiltshire from 1220, where it is spelled "Cluver." This spelling variation further illustrates the name's development and adaptation to different regional dialects and pronunciations.
One notable individual with the surname Clever was John Clever, a Member of Parliament for the borough of Calne in Wiltshire during the late 16th century. He was born around 1550 and served in Parliament during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I.
Another prominent figure with the Clever surname was Sir Robert Clever, a successful merchant and alderman in the City of London during the 17th century. He was born in 1608 and became a wealthy trader, contributing significantly to the city's economic growth and development.
In the 18th century, the name Clever can be found in various parish records and documents. For example, a William Clever was recorded as a landowner in the village of Westbury-on-Trym, near Bristol, in the 1760s.
Moving into the 19th century, the surname Clever gained recognition through individuals such as Samuel Clever, a prominent architect and surveyor born in 1790. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas during the early Victorian era.
Another notable figure was Mary Clever, a philanthropist and social reformer born in 1825. She dedicated her life to improving the living conditions of the poor and advocating for women's rights, making significant contributions to various charitable organizations and movements.
While the surname Clever may not be among the most common in modern times, its history and origins can be traced back to medieval England, reflecting the name's enduring presence and evolution over several centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Clever 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. Kent leads with 9 Clevers recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.60x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 9 | 6.60x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 1.69x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 1.75x |
| Nottinghamshire | 5 | 9.27x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 5.10x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 1.98x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 3.33x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.20x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.22x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 2.89x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.51x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.25x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Deptford St Paul in Kent leads with 8 Clevers recorded in 1881 and an index of 76.05x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Deptford St Paul | 8 | 76.05x |
| Heap | 5 | 198.41x |
| South Collingham | 5 | 4545.45x |
| Gloucester Barton St Mary | 4 | 277.78x |
| Kensington London | 4 | 17.99x |
| Oldham | 3 | 19.58x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 5.95x |
| St George Hanover Square | 2 | 28.37x |
| Canterbury St Mary | 1 | 108.70x |
| East Stonehouse | 1 | 60.98x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.58x |
| Leeds | 1 | 4.47x |
| Ludlow St Lawrence | 1 | 144.93x |
| Millbrook | 1 | 48.54x |
| Reading St Giles | 1 | 33.90x |
| Walton On Hill | 1 | 1250.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Clever 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 Clever 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 Clever households.
FAQ
In 1881, 41 people were recorded with the Clever surname. That placed it at #27,870 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 26 in 2016. That gives Clever a modern rank of #36,254.
A surname derived from the Old English word "clifer" meaning clever or skillful.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Clever 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.