UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word cliar, meaning "bard" or "poet".
In the 1881 census there were 79 people recorded with the Clure surname, ranking it #22,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 28, ranked #36,125, down from #22,357 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wigan, Manchester and Aberdeen and Old Machar. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Clure is 108 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 64.6%.
1881 census count
79
Ranked #22,357
Modern count
28
2016, ranked #36,125
Peak year
1891
108 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Clure surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Clure 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 | 28 | #28,274 |
| 1861 | historical | 27 | #30,543 |
| 1881 | historical | 79 | #22,357 |
| 1891 | historical | 108 | #22,828 |
| 1901 | historical | 71 | #26,277 |
| 1911 | historical | 45 | #28,332 |
| 1997 | modern | 33 | #34,377 |
| 1998 | modern | 34 | #34,433 |
| 1999 | modern | 33 | #34,610 |
| 2000 | modern | 33 | #34,607 |
| 2001 | modern | 30 | #34,753 |
| 2002 | modern | 31 | #34,866 |
| 2003 | modern | 30 | #35,046 |
| 2004 | modern | 31 | #35,105 |
| 2005 | modern | 29 | #35,431 |
| 2006 | modern | 28 | #35,665 |
| 2007 | modern | 30 | #35,661 |
| 2008 | modern | 29 | #35,808 |
| 2009 | modern | 29 | #35,922 |
| 2010 | modern | 28 | #36,084 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 26 | #36,166 |
| 2013 | modern | 24 | #36,344 |
| 2014 | modern | 26 | #36,244 |
| 2015 | modern | 27 | #36,173 |
| 2016 | modern | 28 | #36,125 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wigan, Manchester, Aberdeen and Old Machar, Bradford and Keighley. 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 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Aberdeen and Old Machar | Aberdeen |
| 4 | Bradford | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Keighley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Clure 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 Clure, 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 Clure surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Clure 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, Clure 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 Clure is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Clure, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname CLURE has its origins in Scotland, where it first appeared in the late 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "cluere," meaning "to close" or "to enclose." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who worked as a gatekeeper or a keeper of a fortified place.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of homage rolls from 1296, where it appears as "Clur." This document recorded the names of Scottish nobles and landowners who swore fealty to King Edward I of England.
In the 14th century, the name CLURE began to appear in various Scottish records and charters. For example, a John Clure is mentioned in a charter dated 1375, granting him lands in the county of Fife.
The name CLURE is also connected to several notable historical figures. In the 15th century, a Robert Clure served as a chamberlain to King James II of Scotland. Another prominent figure was Sir John Clure, who fought alongside William Wallace during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th century.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name CLURE spread throughout Scotland, with various spellings such as Clure, Clurie, and Cloorie appearing in different regions. One notable bearer of the name was Sir Alexander Clure, a Scottish poet and courtier who lived from 1580 to 1654.
In the 18th century, the CLURE family established themselves as landowners in the Scottish Borders region. One prominent member was Sir Thomas Clure (1704-1789), who served as a Member of Parliament for Berwickshire.
As the CLURE family scattered throughout the British Isles and beyond, the name took on various forms, such as Cluer, Cluers, and Cluris. However, the original Scottish spelling of CLURE remained the most common.
Other notable individuals with the surname CLURE include John Clure (1743-1828), an English artist known for his landscape paintings, and Major General Sir Ralph Clure (1892-1980), a British Army officer who served in both World Wars.
Overall, the surname CLURE has a rich history deeply rooted in Scotland, with its origins dating back to the late 13th century. It has been borne by numerous notable figures throughout the centuries, from Scottish nobles and landowners to artists and military officers.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Clure 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. Lancashire leads with 27 Clures recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.92x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 27 | 2.92x |
| Yorkshire | 9 | 1.16x |
| Derbyshire | 8 | 6.55x |
| Stirlingshire | 8 | 27.80x |
| Surrey | 7 | 1.84x |
| Sussex | 6 | 4.56x |
| Buckinghamshire | 4 | 8.48x |
| Bedfordshire | 2 | 4.95x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.26x |
| Perthshire | 2 | 5.71x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.74x |
| Isle of Man | 1 | 6.90x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 1 | 8.85x |
| Wigtownshire | 1 | 9.65x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.98x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Everton in Lancashire leads with 8 Clures recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.11x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Everton | 8 | 27.11x |
| Stirling | 8 | 220.39x |
| Heap | 7 | 142.57x |
| Lambeth | 7 | 10.29x |
| Brighton | 6 | 22.61x |
| Blackburn | 5 | 20.30x |
| Heanor | 5 | 273.22x |
| Normanton | 5 | 215.52x |
| Iver | 4 | 655.74x |
| Keighley | 4 | 48.54x |
| Findern | 3 | 2727.27x |
| Hulme | 3 | 15.52x |
| Bedford St Cuthbert | 2 | 555.56x |
| Perth St Pauls | 2 | 246.91x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 1 | 13.37x |
| Kirkbean | 1 | 454.55x |
| Kirkinner | 1 | 232.56x |
| Malew | 1 | 78.74x |
| Manchester | 1 | 2.40x |
| Newton | 1 | 14.01x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 3.49x |
| Pendock | 1 | 1666.67x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.59x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 3.19x |
| West Derby | 1 | 3.69x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Clure 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 Clure 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 Clure households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 12 |
| Coal Miner | 3 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| Tailoress | 2 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Blacksmith Wife | 1 |
| Butler | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Carriage Lifter (Coach) | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Cotton Mule Overlooker | 1 |
| Cotton Mule Spinner | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Iron Moulder | 1 |
| Journeyman Tobacco Manufactr | 1 |
| Kitchenmaid | 1 |
| Labour | 1 |
| Licensed Victualler | 1 |
| Mariners (Wife) | 1 |
| Master Mariner | 1 |
| Pointsman Railway Shunter | 1 |
| Ship Carpenter | 1 |
| Shipcarpenter | 1 |
| Tramp | 1 |
| Upholsterer Employs 9 Men 2 Boys | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 79 people were recorded with the Clure surname. That placed it at #22,357 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 28 in 2016. That gives Clure a modern rank of #36,125.
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word cliar, meaning "bard" or "poet".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Clure 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.