UK surname
An English surname derived from the German city of Kleve.
In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Cleves surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 69, ranked #33,762, down from #24,420 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bedminster, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cleves is 120 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6.2%.
1881 census count
65
Ranked #24,420
Modern count
69
2016, ranked #33,762
Peak year
1891
120 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Cleves surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Cleves 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 | 36 | #26,838 |
| 1861 | historical | 83 | #23,189 |
| 1881 | historical | 65 | #24,420 |
| 1891 | historical | 120 | #21,292 |
| 1901 | historical | 60 | #27,502 |
| 1911 | historical | 92 | #23,580 |
| 1997 | modern | 76 | #29,997 |
| 1998 | modern | 74 | #30,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 73 | #30,856 |
| 2000 | modern | 69 | #31,273 |
| 2001 | modern | 70 | #31,016 |
| 2002 | modern | 70 | #31,432 |
| 2003 | modern | 61 | #32,352 |
| 2004 | modern | 63 | #32,380 |
| 2005 | modern | 61 | #32,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 66 | #32,629 |
| 2007 | modern | 63 | #33,243 |
| 2008 | modern | 60 | #33,743 |
| 2009 | modern | 68 | #33,341 |
| 2010 | modern | 68 | #33,632 |
| 2011 | modern | 69 | #33,532 |
| 2012 | modern | 65 | #33,964 |
| 2013 | modern | 69 | #33,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 71 | #33,717 |
| 2015 | modern | 69 | #33,788 |
| 2016 | modern | 69 | #33,762 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bedminster, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe, Wolstanton and Pilton, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe. 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 | Bedminster | Somerset |
| 2 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 3 | Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe | Somerset |
| 4 | Wolstanton | Staffordshire |
| 5 | Pilton, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe | Somerset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Cleves 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 Cleves, 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 Cleves surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Cleves 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, Cleves 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 Cleves is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Cleves, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Cleves originated in Germany and dates back to the medieval period. It is derived from the German town of Kleve, which lies near the Dutch border. The town's name is believed to come from an old German word meaning "cliff" or "slope."
In the 11th century, records show the name spelt as "Clivis" and "Clive." By the 13th century, the spelling had evolved to "Cleves" or "Cleeves." The Cleves family held significant power in the region during this time, with several members serving as Dukes of Cleves.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Cleves surname was Anna von Cleves, born in 1515. She was a German princess who briefly became the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England in 1540. However, the marriage was annulled after just six months.
Another notable figure was Johann von Cleves, born in 1490. He was a renowned military commander who fought in the Italian Wars and later served as the Governor of Gelderland.
In the 16th century, the name appears in various historical documents, including the Domesday Book of 1086. This detailed survey of England mentions several landowners with the surname Cleves, indicating its spread across Europe.
During the 17th century, the surname was found in various parts of Germany, as well as in the Netherlands and England. One prominent individual was Willem van Cleves, born in 1635, who was a Dutch painter and etcher known for his landscapes and cityscapes.
Another notable figure was Sir John Cleves, born in 1620, who was an English politician and Member of Parliament for Shropshire. He played a significant role in the English Civil War, supporting the Parliamentarian cause.
Over time, the surname Cleves has been subject to various spelling variations, including Cleeves, Clive, and Cleave. However, the original German form, Cleves, remains the most common spelling to this day.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cleves 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. Somerset leads with 30 Cleves' recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.85x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 30 | 29.85x |
| Glamorgan | 18 | 16.56x |
| Hampshire | 7 | 5.47x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.48x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.94x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.82x |
| Huntingdonshire | 1 | 8.06x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.14x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.47x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cardiff St Mary in Glamorgan leads with 9 Cleves' recorded in 1881 and an index of 150.25x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff St Mary | 9 | 150.25x |
| Llandaff | 9 | 248.62x |
| Hemington | 7 | 5384.62x |
| Pilton | 7 | 2916.67x |
| Portsea | 6 | 23.92x |
| Timsbury | 6 | 2000.00x |
| Butcombe | 5 | 12500.00x |
| Bedminster | 4 | 42.37x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 5.76x |
| Berkeley Hamfallow | 1 | 454.55x |
| Cauldon | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Cheddar | 1 | 196.08x |
| Deptford St Nicholas | 1 | 59.17x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 6.09x |
| Droylsden | 1 | 41.32x |
| Harrow On The Hill | 1 | 80.00x |
| Huntingdon All Sts | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Wymering | 1 | 476.19x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cleves 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 Cleves 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 Cleves households.
FAQ
In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Cleves surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 69 in 2016. That gives Cleves a modern rank of #33,762.
An English surname derived from the German city of Kleve.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cleves 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.