Surname Clary - Meaning and Origin

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U. Clary

Clary: What does the surname Clary mean?

The last name Clary is of English origin, and is typically a variant of the surname Clark or Clarke. It is derived from the English word “clerc”, which means “priest”, and originally referred to people who were employed by a clergyman or church official. As such, the name is often associated with a clerical background.

It is believed that the surname Clary was first used in England in the 13th century, when records show that one Roger Clary was recorded in Suffolk in 1273. It is associated largely with the East Anglia region of England, and is particularly popular in Essex and Suffolk counties.

The Clary family name has spread across the world, and can be found in various spellings. Clary is one of the most common, but other variations include Clery, Clarys, and Clair. It is still popular in many English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Britain, and Australia.

It has a few possible meanings. It could refer to a person who is a descendant of the original clerical occupation, or it could mean "clear", referring to someone with a good vision or a good destiny. It could also originate from the French word “clair”, meaning “clear” or “bright”, and could denote someone with an outgoing or cheerful personality. Ultimately, the meaning of the Clary name will depend on the history of each family that carries it.

Clary: Where does the name Clary come from?

The last name Clary is most commonly found today in the United States, Canada, and a few other English-speaking countries. In the United States, the states with the highest occurrence of Clary are Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas. The Clary name is also common in the Midwest, especially Illinois and Indiana.

In Canada, the Clary family is most heavily concentrated in Ontario. The last name is also found in small amounts in Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec. In the United Kingdom, Clary is especially common in Scotland and Wales. It also has some presence in England.

Apart from these countries, the only other two countries in which Clary is found in significant numbers are South Africa and Australia. In South Africa, the Clary family is concentrated in the Gauteng province. In Australia, it is especially common in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

Given its origin and the countries in which it is found today, Clary is likely of either English or French origin. Records in the United States suggest that it may have originated with the Clary family from Normandy in France.

Variations of the surname Clary

The surname Clary is believed to have several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, including:

Claire, Cler, Clar, Clarie, Clarye, Clarys, Clair, Clairey, Clairie, Clari, Clairy, and Clary.

The origins of the Clary surname are uncertain, but it is believed to be derived from two distinct sources. One source is thought to be a habitational name for a family who may have originally lived in or around the small town of Clary in modern day France or Luxembourg. Alternatively, it is thought to also refer to the Latin word “clarus”, meaning clear or bright.

The variants of the Clary surname can be found all over the world and in many different forms. For instance, the Clairey variant of the Clary name is used in France and is typically found in French-speaking countries, as well as in Canada. On the other hand, spellings such as Clarie, Clarye, Clair and Clairie are commonly found in English-speaking countries, such as Ireland and the United States.

The Clary name is also known under different spelling variations, such as Clairie or Clarys. It is also believed by some to have evolved from an old form of the surname Clryce or Cleris. Some sources also suggest that the name could have had a military connotation, with Clarys often being used to refer to a soldier who is especially brave or courageous in battle.

Overall, the Clary surname has a wide variety of variant spellings and other surnames of the same origin, ranging from Claire to Clairie to Clarys. While the exact origin of this surname is unknown, research suggests that it has multiple potential sources. Whatever its exact origin, the Clary surname is found all around the world and has been used in many different forms.

Famous people with the name Clary

• Jean-Baptiste Clary: famous French architect who designed the Royal Monastery of Brou (1513-1590).
• François Clary: French businessman and inventor of the submarine (1752–1828).
• André Clary: French general who served in the Napoleonic Wars and was the older brother of Napoleon’s first wife, Josephine (1762–1817).
• Zachary Taylor Clary: United States Ambassador to Mexico from 1889 to 1890 (1838–1912).
• Edmond Clary: French stage and film actor best known for his roles in “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “Adventures of Captain Fabian” (1893–1953).
• Ursula Clary: Austrian-born American film and stage actress who starred in the 1949 film “The Heiress” (1904–1993).
• Maria Clary: daughter of André Clary and Aurore de La Morinerie, she was part of the court of Napoleon I and later married Jean-François de La Serre, marquis de Beauharnais (1771–1832).
• François Clary: French sculptor and medalist (1793–1865).
• Saint-John Clary: British sculptor who made works for Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts (1853–1897).
• Olivier Clary: French keyboardist and vocalist for the French progressive metal band Adagio (1963–).

Other surnames

ClareClarkClarkeClarksonClarkston