Clarke is a surname which means "clerk". The surname is of

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

and

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

origin and comes from the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

. Variants include

Clerk A clerk is a white-collar worker who conducts general office tasks, or a worker who performs similar sales-related tasks in a retail environment. The responsibilities of clerical workers commonly include record keeping, filing, staffing service c ...

and

Clark Clark is an English language surname, ultimately derived from the Latin with historical links to England, Scotland, and Ireland ''clericus'' meaning "scribe", "secretary" or a scholar within a religious order, referring to someone who was educated ...

. Clarke is also uncommonly chosen as a given name.

Irish surname origin

Clarke is a popular surname in Ireland. The Irish version of the surname is believed to have come from

County Galway "Righteousness and Justice" , anthem = () , image_map = Island of Ireland location map Galway.svg , map_caption = Location in Ireland , area_footnotes = , area_total_km2 = ...

and

County Antrim County Antrim (named after the town of Antrim, ) is one of six counties of Northern Ireland and one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of and has a population of ...

and spread to County Donegal and

County Dublin "Action to match our speech" , image_map = Island_of_Ireland_location_map_Dublin.svg , map_alt = map showing County Dublin as a small area of darker green on the east coast within the lighter green background of ...

. The name is derived from the

Irish Gaelic Irish (Standard Irish: ), also known as Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, which is a part of the Indo-European language family. Irish is indigenous to the island of Ireland and was the ...

sept A sept is a division of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish family. The term is used in both Scotland and Ireland, where it may be translated as ''sliocht'', meaning "progeny" or "seed", which may indicate the descendants of a person ...

, meaning "clerk".

English surname origin

Clarke, as well as Clark, is also a widespread surname in England. The English version is of Anglo-Saxon origin and was used in the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...

for the name of a scribe or secretary. The word "clerc", which came from the pre-7th century

Old English Old English (, ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the early Middle Ages. It was brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlers in the mid-5th c ...

(meaning priest), originally denoted a member of a religious order, but later became widespread. In the Middle Ages, virtually the only people who could read and write were members of religious orders, linking the word with literacy. Thus the surname became a popular term for a literate man, particularly for the professional secretary and the scholar. The English surnames Clarke and Clark are spelling variations. Beauclerk is a related surname, from the Anglo-Norman meaning "fine scholar".https://forebears.io/surnames/beauclerk

People with the surname

* A. Clarke (Leicestershire cricketer), English cricketer *

Adam Clarke Adam Clarke (176226 August 1832) was a British Methodist theologian who served three times as President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference (1806–07, 1814–15 and 1822–23). A biblical scholar, he published an influential Bible commentar ...

(1760–1832), British biblical scholar * Adline Clarke, American politician * A. E. Clarke, architect working in Australia from the 1890s *

Alan Clarke Alan John Clarke (28 October 1935 – 24 July 1990) was an English television and film director, producer and writer. Life and career Clarke was born in Wallasey, Wirral, England. Most of Clarke's output was for television rather than cinema, ...

(1935–1990), British TV and film director * Alf Clarke (1926–1971), English footballer *

Allan Clarke (footballer) Allan John Clarke (born 31 July 1946), nicknamed "Sniffer", is a former professional footballer who played in the Football League for Walsall, Fulham, Leicester City, Leeds United and Barnsley, and won 19 international caps for England. Club ...

(born 1946), English footballer *

Alexander Ross Clarke Col Alexander Ross Clarke FRS FRSE (1828–1914) was a British geodesist, primarily remembered for his calculation of the Principal Triangulation of Britain (1858), the calculation of the Figure of the Earth (1858, 1860, 1866, 1880) and one ...

(1828–1914), British geodesist * Ann or Anne Clarke (disambiguation) * Arianna Clarke (born 1999), Australian rules footballer *

Arthur C. Clarke Sir Arthur Charles Clarke (16 December 191719 March 2008) was an English science-fiction writer, science writer, futurist, inventor, undersea explorer, and television series host. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1968 film '' 2001: A Spac ...

(1917–2008), English science-fiction author, futurist, inventor and undersea explorer *

Ashley Clarke Sir Henry Ashley Clarke (26 June 1903 – 20 January 1994) was a British diplomat who was ambassador to Italy. Later he was chairman of the Venice in Peril Fund. Early life Henry Ashley Clarke was a son of Henry Hugh Rose Clarke (a son of Col ...

(1903–1994), British ambassador to Italy, founder of the Venice in Peril Fund *

Austin Clarke (poet) Austin Clarke (Irish: Aibhistín Ó Cléirigh) (9 May 1896 – 19 March 1974), born in 83 Manor Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin, was one of the leading Irish poets of the generation after W. B. Yeats. He also wrote plays, novels and memoirs. Cla ...

(1896–1974), Irish poet *

Basil Clarke Sir Thomas Basil Clarke (12 August 1879 – 12 December 1947) was an English war correspondent during the First World War and is regarded as the UK's first public relations professional. Early life Born in Altrincham, the son of a chemist, C ...

(1879–1947), British writer and newspaper war correspondent * Bertie Clarke (1918–1993), West Indian cricketer * Bethia Clarke (1867–1959), British artist * Bill or Billy Clarke - see William Clarke (disambiguation) * Bob Clarke (disambiguation) * Bobbie Clarke (1940–2014), British rock drummer *

Bobby Clarke Robert Earle Clarke (born August 13, 1949) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played his entire 15-year National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently an executive with the team. Popula ...

(born 1949), Canadian ice hockey player *

Brian Clarke Brian Clarke (born 2 July 1953) is a British painter, architectural artist and printmaker, known for his large-scale stained glass and mosaic projects, symbolist paintings, set designs, and collaborations with major figures in Modern and con ...

(born 1953), British architectural artist and painter *

Brandon Clarke Brandon Clarke (born September 19, 1996) is a Canadian-American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and San Jose State Univ ...

(born 1996), Canadian basketball player * Bruce B. G. Clarke (born 1943), US Army officer, author and consultant * Bruce C. Clarke (1901–1988), American general *

Buck Clarke William Lewis "Buck" Clarke (October 2, 1933 – October 11, 1988) was an American jazz percussionist who played with Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Les McCann, Russ Freeman, Gerald Albright, Jimmy Smith and others. Clarke's many musical s ...

(1933–1988), American jazz percussionist * C. Clarke (1837 English cricketer), English cricketer * C. Clarke (Sheffield cricketer), English cricketer * Caitlin Clarke (1952–2004), American actress *

Cam Clarke Cam Clarke is an American voice actor, known for his work in animation, video games and commercials. Among his notable roles are Leonardo and Rocksteady in the 1987 ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' animated series, Shotaro Kaneda in the 198 ...

(born 1957), American voice actor * Campbell Clarke (1835–1902), British journalist * Carter Clarke (1896–1987), American brigadier general * Catherine Clarke, British historian *

Catherine Goddard Clarke Catherine Goddard Clarke , also known as Sister Catherine, (August 21, 1900 – May 8, 1968) was an American Traditionalist Catholic writer, educator, and lay religious sister. She was the founder of the Saint Benedict Center in Cambridge, Mass ...

(1900–1968), American Catholic writer and religious community founder * Cecil Vandepeer Clarke (1897–1961), British soldier and inventor * Charles Clarke (disambiguation) * Chris Clarke (disambiguation) * Claire D. Clarke, American politician * Clem S. Clarke (1897–1967), American oilman and politician *

Coty Clarke Coty Clarke (born July 4, 1992) is an American professional basketball who played for Nagoya Diamond Dolphins of the B.League. He played college basketball for Lawson State CC and Arkansas. College career After attending Pinson Valley High Sc ...

(born 1992), American basketball player in the Israeli National League *

Cyril Clarke Sir Cyril Astley Clarke, KBE, FRCP, FRCOG, (Hon) FRC Path, FRS (22 August 1907 – 21 November 2000) was a British physician, geneticist and lepidopterist. He was honoured for his pioneering work on prevention of Rh disease of the newborn, a ...

(1907–2000), English physician and medical researcher *

Darren Clarke Darren Christopher Clarke, (born 14 August 1968) is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions and has previously played on the European Tour and PGA Tour. He has won 21 tournaments worldwide on a ...

, Northern Irish golfer *

, Co Louth Gaa Footballer * David Clarke (disambiguation) * Dean Clarke (disambiguation) * Dominic Clarke (born 1997), Australian trampoline gymnast * Don or Donald Clarke (disambiguation) * Dora Clarke (1895–1989), English artist * Doug or Douglas Clarke (disambiguation) *

Drew Clarke Andrew Leigh Clarke is a former senior Australian public servant who served as Secretary of several departments and as Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, before his retirement in April 2017. Since his retirement from the public ...

, Australian public servant *

Eddie Clarke (musician) Edward Allan Clarke (5 October 1950 – 10 January 2018), better known as "Fast" Eddie Clarke or simply "Fast", was a British guitarist who was a member of heavy metal bands Fastway and Motörhead. Of Motörhead's classic lineup, which consis ...

(1950–2018), British guitarist and podcaster * Edith Clarke (1883–1959), American electrical engineer and professor * Edmund M. Clarke, American computer scientist * Edward Clarke (disambiguation) *

Edwin Clarke Edwin Sisterton Clarke FRCP (18 June 1919 – 11 April 1996) was a British neurologist and medical historian, best remembered for his role as Director of the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, when he succeeded Noël Poynter ...

(1919–1996), British neurologist and medical historian *

Ellis Clarke Sir Ellis Emmanuel Innocent Clarke (28 December 191730 December 2010) was the first President of Trinidad and Tobago and the second and last Governor-General. He was one of the main architects of Trinidad and Tobago's 1962 Independence constitu ...

, lawyer, diplomat, Governor General, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago *

Emilia Clarke Emilia Isobel Euphemia Rose Clarke (born 23 October 1986) is an English actress. She is best known for her portrayal as Daenerys Targaryen in '' Game of Thrones''. She has received various accolades, including an Empire Award, a Saturn Award, ...

(born 1986), English actress * Ernest Clarke (1856–1923), English historian of agriculture * Eva Clarke (born 1945), British-Czech Holocaust survivor * Frank Clarke (disambiguation), also Francis and Franklin * George Clarke (disambiguation) *

Gillian Clarke Gillian Clarke (born 8 June 1937) is a Welsh poet and playwright, who also edits, broadcasts, lectures and translates from Welsh into English. She co-founded Tŷ Newydd, a writers' centre in North Wales. Life Gillian Clarke was born on 8 ...

, Welsh poet * Goland Vanhalt Clarke, British Army brigadier-general, big game hunter, naturalist *

Gordon Luke Clarke Gordon Luke Clarke, also known as Luke, was a New Zealand fashion designer based in London during the 1970s. Clarke was born in Auckland on 9 August 1945 to a Scottish father and Māori mother. At the age of 18, he went to work for the British co ...

(born 1945), New Zealand-born 1970s fashion designer * Harold Clarke (disambiguation) * Harry Clarke (disambiguation) * Helen Clarke (disambiguation) *

Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke Henri-Jacques-Guillaume Clarke, 1st Count of Hunebourg, 1st Duke of Feltre (17 October 1765 – 28 October 1818), born to Irish parents from Lisdowney, County Kilkenny, in Landrecies, was a politician and Marshal of France. Clarke was one of th ...

(1765–1818), Franco-Irish general under Napoleon I * Henry Clarke (disambiguation) *

Heroy Clarke Heroy Clarke is a Jamaican politician from the Labour Party. References Living people People from Saint James Parish, Jamaica 21st-century Jamaican politicians Members of the House of Representatives of Jamaica Jamaica Labour Party pol ...

, Jamaican politician *

Horace Clarke Horace Meredith Clarke (June 2, 1939August 5, 2020) was an American Virgin Islander baseball second baseman who played ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres from 1965 to 1974. ...

(born 1940–2020), Virgin Islander Major League Baseball player *

Hyde Clarke Henry Harcourt Hyde Clarke, known as Hyde Clarke, (14 December 1815 – 1 March 1895) was an English engineer, philologist and author. The son of Henry and Susannah Clarke, he was born at Little Bell Alley, Barbican in London. He edited the ''R ...

(1815–1895), English engineer, philologist and author * Ian Clarke (disambiguation) * Jacob Augustus Lockhart Clarke, British neurologist * James Clarke (disambiguation), also Jim Clarke *

Jason Clarke Jason Clarke (born 17 July 1969) is an Australian actor. He has appeared in many TV series, and is known for playing Tommy Caffee on the television series ''Brotherhood''. He has also appeared in many films, often as an antagonist. His film ro ...

(born 1969), Australian actor * Jay Clarke (disambiguation) *

Justine Clarke Justine Clarke (born 16 November 1971) is an Australian actress, singer, musician, author and television host. She has been acting since the age of seven and has appeared in some of Australia's best-known TV shows. She is best known as a presen ...

, Australian actress and singer *

Jennie Thornley Clarke Jennie Thornley Clarke (September 20, 1860 - December 27, 1924) was an American educator, writer, and anthologist. She was the author of ''Songs of the South. Choice Selections from Southern Poets from Colonial Times to the Present Day''. Joel Cha ...

(–?), American educator, writer, anthologist * Jennifer Ward Clarke (1935–2015), British cellist *

Jeremiah Clarke Jeremiah Clarke (c. 1674 – 1 December 1707) was an English baroque composer and organist, best known for his ''Trumpet Voluntary,'' a popular piece often played at wedding ceremonies or commencement ceremonies. Biography The exact date of Cla ...

(1674–1707), English baroque composer * Jeremy Clarke (disambiguation) * John Clarke (disambiguation) * Katie Rose Clarke (born 1984), American musical theatre actress *

Kathleen Clarke Kathleen Clarke (; ga, Caitlín Bean Uí Chléirigh; 11 April 1878 – 29 September 1972) was a founder member of Cumann na mBan, a women's paramilitary organisation formed in Ireland in 1914, and one of very few privy to the plans of the East ...

(1878–1972), Irish political activist *

Kenneth Clarke Kenneth Harry Clarke, Baron Clarke of Nottingham, (born 2 July 1940), often known as Ken Clarke, is a British politician who served as Home Secretary from 1992 to 1993 and Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1993 to 1997 as well as serving as de ...

(born 1940), British politician; Chancellor of the Exchequer * Lennox Clarke (born 1991), English professional boxer * Lige Clarke (1942−1975), American LGBT activist, journalist and author * Luther W. Clarke (1825–1869), American politician *

Lydia Clarke Lydia Marie Clarke Heston (April 14, 1923 – September 3, 2018) was an American actress and photographer. Biography Clarke attended high school in Lexington, Kentucky, and graduated from Northwestern University. A comment by Carl Sandburg a ...

(1923–2018), American actress and photographer * Malcolm Clarke (disambiguation) *

Marcus Clarke Marcus Andrew Hislop Clarke (24 April 1846 – 2 August 1881) was an English-born Australian novelist, journalist, poet, editor, librarian, and playwright. He is best known for his 1874 novel ''For the Term of His Natural Life'', about the co ...

(1846–1881), Australian novelist * Mary Clarke (disambiguation) * Matthew Clarke (disambiguation), also Matt Clarke * Mary Frances Clarke, Irish-American founder of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary *

Maura Clarke Maura Clarke (January 13, 1931 – December 2, 1980), was an American Catholic Maryknoll sister who served as a missionary in Nicaragua and El Salvador. She worked with the poor and refugees in Central America from 1959 until her murder in 1980. ...

(1931–1980), American nun, martyr, killed in El Salvador *

Maurice Gordon Clarke Maurice Gordon Clarke (May 2, 1877 – June 5, 1944) was an American football and baseball player and coach. The Omaha, Nebraska native served as head football coach at the University of Texas at Austin in 1899, at Western Reserve University—no ...

, American football and baseball player and coach * Megan Clarke, American cancer epidemiologist * Michael Clarke (disambiguation), also Mike Clarke *

Mitch Clarke Mitchell Bradley Clarke (born November 24, 1985) is a Canadian professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He fought as a Lightweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and is the head coach at Complete Fitness & Martial Arts, St ...

(born 1985), Canadian mixed martial artist * Mitch Clarke (basketball) (born 1999), Australian basketball player * Nancy Clarke (entrepreneur) (died 1811 or 1812), Barbadian hotelier and free woman of colour * Naomi Clarke, (born 1982), New Zealand soccer player * Nevelle Clarke (born 1996), American football player *

Nig Clarke Jay Justin "Nig" Clarke (December 15, 1882 – June 15, 1949) was a Canadian professional baseball player. A catcher, Clarke played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for nine seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Naps, St. Louis Browns, Philad ...

(1882–1949), American baseball player * Nobby Clarke (1907–1981), English footballer *

Noel Clarke Noel Anthony Clarke (born 6 December 1975) is a British actor, screenwriter, director, and comic book writer. Rising to prominence for playing Mickey Smith in ''Doctor Who'' (2005–2010), he played Sam in the films '' Kidulthood'' (2006), ''Ad ...

, (born 1975), British actor, director and screenwriter * Patrick Clarke, (born 1965), Irish actor, director, producer and screenwriter * Pauline Clarke (1921–2013), British writer * Peter Clarke (disambiguation) * Philip Clarke (disambiguation) * Powhatan Henry Clarke (1862–1893), United States Army first lieutenant, recipient of the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars * Ralph Clarke (mayor) (died 1660), mayor of Chesterfield, 1598 * Rebecca Clarke (disambiguation) * Richard Clarke (disambiguation) * Robert Clarke (disambiguation) * Roger Clarke (disambiguation) *

Rotnei Clarke Rotnei Clarke (born July 20, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for Scafati Basket of the Italian Serie A2 Basket. He played college basketball for the University of Arkansas and Butler University before beginning his profession ...

(born 1989), American basketball player * Rozlyne Clarke, Australian make-up artist, musical theatre actor and dance music singer * Ryan Clarke (disambiguation) * Samuel Clarke (disambiguation) *

Sharon D. Clarke Sharon Delores Clarke (born 12 August 1966) is an English actress and singer. She is a three-time Olivier award winner, and is best known to television audiences for her role as Lola Griffin in the medical drama ''Holby City'', and as Grace O'B ...

(born 1966), English actress and singer * Sidney Clarke (1831–1909), American politician *

Stanley Clarke Stanley Clarke (born June 30, 1951) is an American bassist, film composer and founding member of Return to Forever, one of the first jazz fusion bands. Clarke gave the bass guitar a prominence it lacked in jazz-related music. He is the first jaz ...

(born 1951), American double bass and bass guitar musician * Stephen or Steve Clarke - see Stephen Clark (disambiguation) *

Susanna Clarke Susanna Mary Clarke (born 1 November 1959) is an English author known for her debut novel ''Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell'' (2004), a Hugo Award-winning alternative history. Clarke began ''Jonathan Strange'' in 1993 and worked on it during her ...

(born 1959), British novelist (''Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell'') *

Sylvester Clarke Sylvester Theophilus Clarke (11 December 1954 – 4 December 1999) was a Barbadian cricketer who played 11 Test matches and 10 One Day Internationals for the West Indian cricket team. Early life Born in Christ Church, Barbados, to Ashton and ...

, (1954–1999), West Indian cricketer * Sarah Clarke (disambiguation) * Taylor Clarke (born 1993), American baseball player * Terrel E. Clarke (1920–1997), American businessman and politician *

Theo Clarke Theodora Roosevelt Clarke (born 4 August 1985) is a British Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Stafford since the 2019 general election. Prior to her political career, she worked in the arts industry ...

, British Member of Parliament elected 2019 * Theophilus Clarke, English painter * Tom or Thomas Clarke (disambiguation) * Troy Clarke (disambiguation) *

Vince Clarke Vincent John Martin (born 3 July 1960), known professionally as Vince Clarke, is an English synth-pop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been the main composer and musician of the band Erasure since its inception in 1985, and was previously ...

(born 1960), British musician with the band Erasure * Wayne Clarke (broadcaster) (born 1961), British Christian minister *

Wayne Clarke (footballer) Wayne Clarke (born 28 February 1961) is an English former professional footballer. Playing as a striker, he scored nearly 150 goals over the course of his career and was a member of the Everton team which finished as English league champio ...

(born 1961), English former footballer * William Clarke (disambiguation) * Yvette D. Clarke (born 1964), American politician, member of the United States House of Representatives * Hannah Clarke/Baxter, Australian sportsperson and murder victim

Fictional characters

Christian Clarke Christian Clarke is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', portrayed by John Partridge. He first appeared in the show's 3,509th episode, originally broadcast in the United Kingdom on 17 January 2008, and was introduced a ...

, in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' * Franklin Clarke, in Agatha Christie's novel ''

The A.B.C. Murders ''The A.B.C. Murders'' is a work of detective fiction by British writer Agatha Christie, featuring her characters Hercule Poirot, Arthur Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp, as they contend with a series of killings by a mysterious murderer kn ...

'' *

Isaac Clarke Isaac Clarke is a fictional character in the survival horror media franchise ''Dead Space'', owned and published by Electronic Arts. He was introduced as the protagonist of ''Dead Space'' (2008) developed by EA subsidiary EA Redwood Shores, whi ...

, main protagonist of the ''Dead Space'' video game series * Linda Clarke, in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' * Roger Clarke (EastEnders), in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' * Ryan Clarke, recurring character in the American television series '' Legacies'' * Shane Clarke, in the ''Power Rangers Ninja Storm''

References

{{Clark-surname Occupational surnames English-language surnames Surnames of Irish origin Surnames of English origin