Surname Clarkson - Meaning and Origin

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Z. Clarkson

Clarkson: What does the surname Clarkson mean?

The surname Clarkson is of English origin and derives from the medieval personal name "Clark." The "son" suffix implies "son of." Hence, Clarkson essentially means "son of Clark." The personal name Clark comes from the occupation of clerk, originally derived from the Latin "Clericus." During the Middle Ages, a clerk was one who could read and write, which was a rare skill at that time. These individuals were often employed in minor ecclesiastical roles which were the main roles requiring literacy. Therefore, the surname Clarkson likely evolved to denote lineage from a person who held the position of a clerk. Notable people with the surname Clarkson include British television presenter Jeremy Clarkson and American singer Kelly Clarkson.

Clarkson: Where does the name Clarkson come from?

The surname Clarkson originates from England. It is derived from the medieval patronymic name "Clark", meaning "scribe" or "secretary", prevalent in regions where education was limited and literacy was rare. Therefore, those with this occupation held high status in the society. The added "son" indicates "son of the clerk". The name spread throughout England and Scotland in the Middle Ages and became common following the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

Today, the surname Clarkson remains common in the United Kingdom, particularly in the northern regions of England. It has also spread across the world due to emigration, particularly during the era of British colonial expansion. It is prevalent in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Famous people with the surname include American singer Kelly Clarkson and British television presenter Jeremy Clarkson. Overall, the distribution of the Clarkson surname reflects the historical and contemporary influence of British culture and migration patterns.

Variations of the surname Clarkson

The surname Clarkson can be found in various forms based on regional differences, misspellings, and translations. Some of the most common variations include Clarkston, Clerkson, Clercson, Clarkeson, and Clarkstone. The name Clarkson itself is of British origin, derived from the name Clark, which has its roots in the occupation of a scribe or secretary. Clark is a variant of "Clerk", hence Clarkson can be considered a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Clerk'.

In some Scandinavian countries, it could be spelled as Klarckson or Klerkson. Variants may also emerge from abbreviations or nicknames, such as Clarkie or Clarky, albeit these are less formal and more rare. Moreover, surnames often get changed or adapted through marriage, migration, or simply through preference which might create even more variations of the name. It should be noted that while these are potential variants and adaptations, Clarkson is by far the most common spelling of this surname.

Famous people with the name Clarkson

• Jeremy Clarkson: A British television presenter, journalist and writer, best known for co-hosting the BBC TV show Top Gear.
• Kelly Clarkson: An American singer-songwriter and television personality who gained fame after winning the first season of American Idol.
• Patricia Clarkson: An accomplished American actress who has starred in numerous films, television series, and stage productions.
• Jordan Clarkson: A professional basketball player who is of Filipino-American descent and currently plays for the Utah Jazz in the NBA.
• Kenneth Clarkson: Noted Canadian businessman and brother of former Governor-General, Adrienne Clarkson.
• Adrienne Clarkson: The 26th Governor General of Canada, who was the first person of Asian ancestry to hold this position.
• Emilie Clarkson Moore: An American philanthropist who made significant contributions to New York City charities in the late 19th century.
• Clarkson Hine: A notable corporate executive in the American beverage industry.
• Tammy Clarkson: A popular country music singer in Australia.
• Alana Clarkson: An Australian actress known for her role in the TV series The Doctor Blake Mysteries.
• Roy Clarkson: A renowned South African paleoanthropologist.
• David Clarkson: A Canadian professional ice hockey player.

Other surnames

Clarkston

Comments or additions to the name "Clarkson"

18.02.2024
Adriane Clarkson was married to professor Clarkson at university of Toronto. How can Kenneth Clarkson be her brother? He might be her Brother-in-law but not brother!lol