Surname Cleman - Meaning and Origin

Cleman: What does the surname Cleman mean?

The last name Cleman is thought to be derived from an Old French term meaning “clerk” or “librarian.” It is believed to have been used as an occupational surname for a person who worked as a scribe, keeping documents and records in the Middle Ages.

The name may also be of German origin, derived from “Klemm,” meaning “firm” or “strong,” and used as a nickname for someone who was determined or reliable. It is also said to have been a personal name related to the Latin “clamare,” meaning “to proclaim.”

When this surname arrived in England, it was spelled “Clemman” or “Cleyman,” and by the 19th century it began to be spelled “Cleman.” This is the most likely spelling of the last name today.

Aside from being an occupational or nickname name, it is not known if any particular family was the source of the name. Today, people bearing the Cleman surname are found scattered around Europe, the United States, and Canada. It is also a relatively uncommon name in general, so it can be used to easily identify members of a certain family.

Cleman: Where does the name Cleman come from?

The last name Cleman is most commonly found today in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, the Cleman surname is recorded 41,167 times throughout the country. The last name can also be found in other parts of the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom.

In the United States, Cleman is most prominent in the Midwest. It is particularly popular in Ohio and Illinois, where it is recorded 9,170 and 4,619 times, respectively. Cleman is also fairly prevalent in California, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.

The Cleman family has a long history in the United States, first arriving in the United States in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It appears to have been a popular name for those who had Germanic origins, particularly in the states of Ohio and Illinois. In fact, the earliest record of the Cleman surname in the United States comes from Ohio in 1822.

Over the years, Cleman has spread throughout the country and can now be found in almost all regions. With the growing popularity of online genealogical records, it is easier than ever to trace the origins of the Cleman name and connect with other Cleman families across the world.

Variations of the surname Cleman

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Cleman can include Clemmons, Clemans, Clemence, Clemenson, Clement, Clemmons, Clemency, Clementson, Clemens, Kleman, Clemmens, Kleemans, Clemon, Clemmensen, Klemens, Clemensson, Klemanns, Clemmensson, Clementson, Klement, Clament, Clamens, Clamence, Clamons, Clamensson, Clamenson, Klaimens, Klaiment, Klaimence, Kalaimans, Kalaimenson, Climans, Climenson, Klementon, Klamens, Klemans, Klimens, Klimenson, Klamonson, Klementsson, Klementz and Klementowicz.

Cleman, as the root source of this family name, is of German origin and is believed to derive from the Latin, Clemens, which means merciful or gentle. It was used as a first name in many countries and is recorded as early as the 10th century. It is likely that if people acquired the name Cleman, then over time it would have diverged into different spellings and surname variations.

It is possible that some of the surnames may have been derived from other locations, many of which have changed names over time. For example, Clemon may have come from the French province of Normandie. Likewise, some surnames have changed spelling or pronunciation, likely due to cultural influences or paleographical constraints in writing the name differently.

Surnames of similar origin, such as Clement, Clementon, Klemanns, Klement and Klemens, could be linked back to Cleman, indicating that the traceable roots of this name could have extended to other countries. Some of the variations in spelling could include the addition of double consonants or changes in the vowel sound, such as the change from Cleman to Kleman.

Ultimately, the name Cleman has many variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin that can be traced to its Germanic roots. Whether the name has undergone a series of changes over the years or has remained largely static its meaning remains the same; gentle or merciful.

Famous people with the name Cleman

• Teneille Cleman: American singer and fitness guru known as "The Ultimate Diva".
• Valentina Cleman: Russian ballet dancer and founder of The Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet.
• Nick Cleman: American basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers.
• Robert Cleman: British philosopher and economist who helped establish the London School of Economics.
• Dan Cleman: American actor and model known for roles in the television show "Desperate Housewives".
• Nancy Cleman: American businesswoman and philanthropist.
• Peter Cleman: French physician and professor who specialized in histopathology.
• Robert Cleman: American architect and designer who designed the iconic San Francisco Transamerica Pyramid.
• Debbie Cleman: Canadian nurse and author who wrote the book "Nurse's Companion".
• Max Cleman: Swiss inventor and entrepreneur who developed the Cleman wheel: a device used in cartography.

Other surnames

ClemannClemans