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CLARKE Family History

Ó Cléirigh- anglicised as (O) Clery, Cleary and Clarke. Derivation from 'cléireach', originally from Latin 'clericus'. The appellation denoted a man in minor religious orders who copied manuscripts, took statements etc.

As an Irish surname, it is one of the oldest, with references in the Annals ('Four Masters', 'Ulster' & c.) as early as the mid tenth century: ua Cléirigh. They were originally a sept of South Galway, Kilmacduagh has been quoted (this is the site of an amazing ecclesiastical settlement). The 13th century, that turbulent period of Cambro-Norman intervention, saw them scatter to Co Mayo (Tirawley), Co Donegal (Tyrconnell), Co Cavan and Co Kilkenny.

The O Clerys of Tyrconnell were compilers of the 'Annals of the Four Masters', completed at Donegal in 1636: a case of a name living up to its 'trade'. It was in Co Donegal that they became hereditary poets and genealogists of the O Donnells. The seat of this family was at Kilbarron.

In 'Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall' (1923) Woulfe writes that the name is 'often disguised, especially in Ulster, under the translated form of Clarke'.

In this article we shall look for all forms of the name as it appears in the 1659 'Census' of Sir William Petty, and then specifically the Clarke form in Griffith's 'Primary Valuation' (1847-60).

In the 1659 'Census' the following are found as a 'Principal Irish Name':

(Returns for Co Galway, Co Mayo & Co Cavan are missing).

Co Donegal
O'Cleery is recorded, in TIrhugh, with 9 families.Co DerryColeraine Barony, 7 families of Clearke.

Co Sligo
Barony of Tireragh, 6 families of Clery.

Co Kilkenny
Barony of Gowran, Clere & Cleary, 7 families.

Co Tipperary
Lower Ormond, Cleary & Clery, 38 families; Iffa and Offa, Cleare & Cleary, 25; Eliogurty & Ikerryn, Cleare & Cleary, 10; Upper Ormond, Cleary, 10; Clanwilliam, Cleary, 10.

Co Meath
Duleek Barony, Clery, 9; Scrine Barony, Clery, 8.I

n Griffith's 'Valuation' the following counties contained the most Clarke households: Cavan 442, Antrim 169 + Belfast 95, Meath 246, Down 218, Mayo 196, Dublin 105 + city 90, Derry 179.

It would appear from the foregoing that the Clarke anglicisation of Ó Cléirigh is a late development. Of course, we must bear in mid the introduction of the name Clark(e) from Britain, although MacLysaght writes in 'The Surnames of Ireland' (1985) that Clarke 'usually stands for O'Clery in Ireland'. This seems to be borne out by the high figure in 1850s Cavan. Nonetheless, some bearers in the 6 counties would be of settler stock.

Clarke was the 32nd most numerous surname in Ireland in 1890. It was as common in England in the mid 19th century, and even commoner in Scotland.

In 1890 in the Registrar's records of births in Ireland, most Clarke births occurred in counties Antrim, Dublin, Mayo, Cavan and Louth.

Two famous Clarkes:

Thomas Clarke (1858-1916) born on the Isle of Wight, to Irish parents (his Leitrim father was a British Soldier). He was the great leader and inspiration of the Easter Rising in 1916. Republican par excellence, he spent 15 years in a prison in Britain, under a regime designed to destroy its captives, often in solitary confinement. He was executed immediately after the Rising on 3rd May 1916.

Darren Clarke (born 1968 in Dungannon, Tyrone) the class golfer who delighted his fans by winning the 2011 Open Championship at Sandwich, Kent. He has also won two World Golf Championships events, notably in 2000 when he beat Tiger Woods.
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    Mary Obermite

    James Clarke was my great, great grandfather. I would love more information.
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    Clarke

    First Judge in Rio Grande City Texas Starr County Judge James Clarke ,from Ireland, the County of Donegal, born on 1821-1899 and on 1847 James Clarke a young man of 26 from County Donegal from where he embarked on his journey to America. His travels took him to Galveston, Texas where he enrolled in a company of 1. TexasRangers on March 1847 that was commanded by Captain James B Reed. 2. help US Army on May 24,1847 at San Antonio TX to participate in the ongoing War with Mexico to protect supply lines 3.in Nov. 1847, James Clarke who by then had attained the rank of lieutenant 4.Lieutenant Clarke Texas Ranger was wounded and was honorably discharge on June 29, 1848 5. Clarke fought in the Battle of Santa Gertrudis which led to the end of the occupation of Mexico by the imperialist armies of France 6.James Married on Feb. 7,1849, Clarke and his family settled in Starr County where he acquired several ranches , where he raised cattle and other livestock. 7. He became an attorney and was elected County commissioner four times, Superintendent of Public instruction Twice. 8. Clarke was elected County Judge Four Times and was well liked by the people, Judge James Clarke die in office at age 78 on May 25 1899 two weeks after being wounded in a gunfight with a bandido ( cattle rustler). and if you would like some more info we have all documents, ps. he had a brother Named Robert Clarke, his ship never made it to America. Liza Clarke Levrie ( He was my Great, Great, Great Grandfather) 4115 Waterwood Pass Drive Elmendorf, TX 78112
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    Damian Clarke

    This is interesting. My grandpa was Robert Clarke, from Glenmaquin in Co Donegal, his father a Protestant farmer with 4 sons. Robert went to school in Letterkenny and then to Trinity to study Law. He was in the first tranche from Tininity to be picked for Indian Civil Service where he became a Circuit Judge. My father was born in India but came back to the UK to marry after WW2.I've just managed to get my Irish Citizenship back. Because my grandpa married a Catholic they left Ireland. So I have no contact with that part of the family but would love to meet and find out more. With 4 boys there must be loads of cousins!. I estimate he was born c. 1880+
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    John Anthony Clarke

    John Clarke 1894-1960. Born in Dublin as an orphan. Trained as a tailor and moved to Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary and married Joanne O'Brien in 1917 in Mullinahone. Died in 1960
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    Damian Clarke

    I don't think I am related but I am Damian ANTHONY JOHN Clarke. There's another folk singer like me, called Anthony John Clarke from Belfast. Seems a fairly common appendage, a bit like Alistair John in Scotland?
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    Clarke

    John Clarke 1894-1960
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    Catherine Beni Shinn

    My Mother’s ancestors, I was told dropped the “E”, changing it to Clark, while some ancestors she remembered didn’t due to riff in the family. I kind of got the feeling division due to religion and that those who kept the “E were Catholic. Her family was from the county of Donegal.
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    Damian Clarke

    My ancestors were also Clarkes from Co. Donegal, with an e but Protestand farmers, so probabably Scottish settlers way back. Lived in Glenmaquin. My grandpa was born c. 1880, one of 4 brothers. he married a Catholic and left Ireland to work in the Indian Civil Service by way of Trinity in Dublin.
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    Anthony Barrett

    (Part 2 of 3) According to research, the Kingdom of Brycheiniog will take part in an invasion of Brittany, France around 500 CE. But how could this be? Recent discoveries from DNA testing are unlocking the migration patterns of Celtic tribes as late as 800 CE to 1200 CE. The Clarke story begins in pre-history Ireland but this descendant will then move to Wales where the family can be traced back to their Welsh tribe Cydifor Fawr. This line and many of his kin will then travel to Brittany, France during the Dark Ages.
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    Anthony Barrett

    (Part 1 of 3) The Clarke name has a long history in the British Isles, but now DNA and some recorded history says one of its origins is from the north-west region of the Emerald Island. This Clarke story [dominated by DNA tribal marker R1b-L513, Subgroup C2] can trace their beginnings to the Finn Valley in Donegal, Ireland from 50 BCE. Perhaps the journey begins with the Clanna Dedad; Deda, son of Sen or Deda Mac Sin. The Clarke surname origin is possibly from the Dáirine [R1b-L513] who found the Kingdom of Brycheiniog, Wales around 300 CE.
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    Anthony Barrett

    (Part 3 of 3) Discover their newly found untold story and how forgotten texts bring their story back to life. From the ebook, “The Tribe Within” learn how DNA unfolds this amazing tale and if you look in the right places, how history narrates this evidence. There is another written account of their story, but it is camouflaged in smoke and myth – it will become the tales of King Arthur. Come follow in the footsteps of Deda Mac Sin and visit https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/401207
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    patrickbclarke

    Our Clarkes are from the Cnoc crock. Hilltop farm at Ralaghan fort, Kilann parish, Co. Cavan. Historian Rev. Philip OConnell, wrote that, along with OReillys, Clarkes were leading Clonkee barony family. Before their surname was Englished, Clarkes were Milesian OCleirighs. Our ancestors were likely kern swordsmen, serving Gaelic Irish chieftain Philip OReilly, Clankees lord. He was the OReilly, albeit briefly, in 1596. Griffiths Survey records Clarkes in 63 Bailieborough, 52 Knockbride, 48 Killenkere, 33 Enniskeen, 27 Drumgoon, 17 Mullagh and Lara, and 16 Moybolge households.
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    Keller Darragh

    My great grandfather was born on London to Irish parents. He served in the Canadian Corps of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War.
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