Clark
Encyclopedia
Clark is surname
in the English language
, ultimately derived from the Latin clericus meaning "scribe", "secretary" or a scholar within a religious order, referring to someone who was educated. Clark evolved from "clerk". First records of the name are found in 12th century England. The name has many variants.
The name is often, especially within the British Isles
, considered to be Scottish
due to the name occurring more often in Scotland
than many other places. Clark is the twenty-seventh most common surname in the United Kingdom
.
According to the 1990 United States Census, Clark was the twenty-first most frequently encountered surname, accounting for 0.23% of the population.
Clark is also an occasional given name
, as in the case of Clark Gable
.
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
in the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, ultimately derived from the Latin clericus meaning "scribe", "secretary" or a scholar within a religious order, referring to someone who was educated. Clark evolved from "clerk". First records of the name are found in 12th century England. The name has many variants.
The name is often, especially within the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
, considered to be Scottish
Scottish surnames
Scottish surnames are surnames currently found in Scotland, or surnames that have a historical connection with the country.-History:The earliest surnames found in Scotland occur during the reign of David I, King of Scots...
due to the name occurring more often in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
than many other places. Clark is the twenty-seventh most common surname in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
According to the 1990 United States Census, Clark was the twenty-first most frequently encountered surname, accounting for 0.23% of the population.
Clark is also an occasional given name
Given name
A given name, in Western contexts often referred to as a first name, is a personal name that specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name...
, as in the case of Clark Gable
Clark Gable
William Clark Gable , known as Clark Gable, was an American film actor most famous for his role as Rhett Butler in the 1939 Civil War epic film Gone with the Wind, in which he starred with Vivien Leigh...
.
List of people with surname Clark
People with the surname Clark include:- Abraham ClarkAbraham ClarkAbraham Clark was an American politician and Revolutionary War figure. He was delegate for New Jersey to the Continental Congress where he signed the Declaration of Independence and later served in the United States House of Representatives in both the Second and Third United States Congress, from...
(1725–1794), American politician and Revolutionary War figure - Alan ClarkAlan ClarkAlan Kenneth Mackenzie Clark was a British Conservative MP and diarist. He served as a junior minister in Margaret Thatcher's governments at the Departments of Employment, Trade, and Defence, and became a privy counsellor in 1991...
(1928–1999), British Conservative politician and author, son of Kenneth ClarkKenneth ClarkKenneth McKenzie Clark, Baron Clark, OM, CH, KCB, FBA was a British author, museum director, broadcaster, and one of the best-known art historians of his generation... - Allen George ClarkAllen George ClarkSir Allen George Clark was an American born, British industrialist who helped to build the former Plessey company into one of Europe's largest manufacturers of telecommunications equipment, military electronics and aircraft components.-Early life:Allen George Clark was born in Brookline,...
(1898–1962), British businessman - Andy Clark (musician)Andy Clark (musician)Andrew Clark is an English rock composer and performer who is best known for his work on keyboards and synthesizer in the 1970s, playing and recording alongside Mick Hutchinson, in Clark Hutchinson, alongside Jeff Beck with his involvement in Upp and on the album Wired, and alongside guitarist...
, British musician - Anne ClarkAnne ClarkAnne Clark is an English poet and songwriter. Her first album, The Sitting Room, was released in 1982, and she has released over a dozen albums since then....
(born 1960), poet-songwriter - Benjamin S. W. ClarkBenjamin S. W. ClarkBenjamin S. W. Clark was an American merchant and politician from New York. He was the first New York State Superintendent of Public Works.-Biography:...
(1829–1912), New York politician - Bob ClarkBob ClarkBenjamin "Bob" Clark was an American actor, director, screenwriter and producer best known for directing and writing the script with Jean Shepherd to the 1983 Christmas film A Christmas Story...
(Benjamin "Bob" Clark) (1941–2007), American director - Brian Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Buddy ClarkBuddy ClarkBuddy Clark was a popular American singer in the 1930s and 1940s.-Life and career:Clark was born Samuel Goldberg to Jewish parents in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He made his Big Band singing debut in 1934 with Benny Goodman on the Let's Dance radio program. In 1936 he started to perform on the...
(1911–1949), American singer - Carmel ClarkCarmel ClarkCarmel Frances Clark is a former freestyle and backstroke swimmer from New Zealand, who represented her native country at 1984 Summer Olympics. She finished in 8th place in both backstroke finals.-References:*...
(born 1965), New Zealand swimmer - Catherine ClarkCatherine ClarkCatherine Jane Clark is a Canadian television broadcaster, and the daughter of former Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark and Maureen McTeer.-Life and career:Clark was born in Ottawa, Ontario...
(born 1976), Canadian television host - Charles Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Chris Clark (disambiguation)Chris Clark (disambiguation)Chris Clark may refer to:* Chris Clark , player on the Denver Broncos American football team* Chris Clark , mine action expert* Chris Clark , English football player...
, several people - Christian ClarkChristian ClarkChristian Clark is an Australian actor. He appeared in the role of Will Griggs in the Network Ten soap opera Neighbours from 2006 to 2007...
(born 1979), Australian actor - Claudine ClarkClaudine ClarkClaudine Clark is an American R&B musician, best known as the singer and composer of the 1962 hit "Party Lights", which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100....
, R&B singer and performer of the 1962 hit record "Party Lights" - Colin ClarkColin ClarkColin Grant Clark was a British and Australian economist and statistician who worked in both the United Kingdom and Australia. He pioneered the use of the gross national product as the basis for studying national economies.-Biography:Colin Clark was born in London in 1905 and was educated at the...
, British economist - Corrie ClarkCorrie ClarkCorrie Clark is a female breaststroke and medley swimmer from the United States. At the 2003 Pan American Games, she won silver medals in the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM, although at one point PASO stripped Clark of the breaststroke medal.Clark studied at and swam for Southern Methodist University...
(born 1982), American breaststroke swimmer - Dallas ClarkDallas ClarkDallas Dean Clark is an American football tight end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts 24th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Iowa...
, American football player - Daniel Clark (Canadian politician and actor)Daniel Clark (Canadian politician and actor)Daniel Clark was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on June 21, 1976. Beginning in 1986 he was a featured player on the Canadian children's series OWL/TV, which aired on CBC Television in Canada and PBS in the United States...
, Canadian actor - Daniel Kinnear ClarkDaniel Kinnear ClarkDaniel Kinnear Clark was a Scottish consulting railway engineer. He served as Locomotive Superintendent to the Great North of Scotland Railway between 1853 and 1855, and also wrote comprehensive books on railway engineering matters.-Biography:Clark was born at Edinburgh on 17 July 1822...
(1822–1896), British railway mechanical engineer - Darius ClarkDarius ClarkDarius Clark was an American physician and politician from New York.-Life:...
(1798–1871), New York physician and politician - Dave Clark (musician)Dave Clark (musician)David 'Dave' Clark is an English musician, songwriter and record producer. He was the leader and drummer of the 1960s beat group The Dave Clark Five, the first big British Invasion band to follow The Beatles to America in 1964....
(born 1942), drummer of The Dave Clark Five - David Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Davis Wasgatt ClarkDavis Wasgatt ClarkDavis Wasgatt Clark was an American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1864; the first President of the Freedman's Aid Society; and the namesake of Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU.-Birth and Rebirth:...
(1812–1871), American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church - Dick Clark (born 1929), entertainer and producer
- Dick Clark (disambiguation)Dick Clark (disambiguation)Dick Clark is an American entertainer and producer.Dick Clark may also refer to:* Dick Clark , U.S. senator* Dick Clark , American basketball player...
, several people - Douglas Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Duncan ClarkDuncan ClarkDuncan William Clark, MD was an American public health expert and preventive medicine specialist. He is best known for advocating the addition of fluoride to the New York City's water supply to prevent tooth decay.-Education:...
(1910–2007), an American public health specialist - Duncan Clark (athlete)Duncan Clark (athlete)Duncan McDougall Munro Clark was an Olympic athlete from Scotland. He specialised in the hammer throw events during his career.Clark represented Great Britain in two consecutive Olympic Games, starting in 1948...
(1915–2003), Scottish hammer thrower - Dwight ClarkDwight ClarkDwight Edward Clark is a former American Pro Bowl wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers from 1979 to 1987...
, American football player - Ernest ClarkErnest ClarkErnest Clark was a British actor of stage, television and film.-Early life:Clark was the son of a master builder in Maida Vale, and was educated nearby at St Marylebone Grammar School. After leaving school he became a reporter on a local newspaper in Croydon...
(1912–1994), British actor - Eugene Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Frank Clark (footballer), English football player
- Frank M. ClarkFrank M. ClarkFrank Monroe Clark was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Early Life & Military Service:...
(1915–2003), American Congressman - Gavin Brown Clark (1846–1930), MP for Caithness
- George Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Gerry ClarkGerry ClarkGerald Stanley Clark MBE was a New Zealand sailor, writer and ornithologist. He is notable for his ornithological research work on subantarctic islands and for his circumnavigation of Antarctica in his self-built yacht Totorore....
(1927–1999), New Zealand sailor and ornithologist - Ginger ClarkGinger ClarkHarvey Daniel “Ginger” Clark was a Major League Baseball pitcher for a very brief time during the season. The right-hander was born in Wooster, Ohio....
(1879–1943), American baseball pitcher - Glenn ClarkGlenn ClarkGlenn Clark is the former head coach of the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League, and also a former NLL player. Clark played in the NLL from 1998-2006 for both the Rock and the Philadelphia Wings. With the Rock, Clark won five NLL Championships...
(born 1969), Canadian coach of Toronto Rock - Helen ClarkHelen ClarkHelen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
(born 1950), Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008 - Hilda ClarkHilda ClarkHilda Clark was an American model and actress. She was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, to Lydia and Milton Edward Clark. As a young adult she moved east to Boston to become a popular music hall songstress and actress. However, Clark became famous as a model in 1895 when she became the first woman to...
(1872–1932), American Coca-Cola advertising spokesperson - Hugh Massey ClarkHugh Massey ClarkHugh Massey Clark , of New York, was a noted philatelist and publisher. He was married to Theresa Maria Clark.-Philatelic editing:Hugh Clark joined the Scott Stamp and Coin Company in 1912 and served in various capacities at the company, including being appointed as manager in 1914...
(1886–1956), person of New York - Hilda Margery ClarkeHilda Margery ClarkeHilda Margery Clarke is an English painter and art gallery curator who was a friend and student of L. S. Lowry.Born in Manchester as the younger daughter of Frank Thompson, she met Lowry when she was aged 14...
(born 1926), English painter and curator - Hulda Regehr ClarkHulda Regehr ClarkHulda Regehr Clark was a naturopath, author, and practitioner of alternative medicine. Clark claimed that all human disease was related to parasitic infection, and also claimed to be able to cure all diseases, including cancer and HIV/AIDS, by destroying these parasites by "zapping" them with...
, alternative medicine practitioner - Isabella ClarkIsabella ClarkIsabella Macdonald, née Clark was the first wife of John A. Macdonald, the premier of the Province of Canada in 1856. She was Macdonald's first cousin....
, wife of Prime Minister of Canada Sir John A. Macdonald - Jack Clark (disambiguation), several people
- James Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Jeff Clark (disambiguation)Jeff Clark (disambiguation)Jeff Clark may refer to:* Jeff Clark , American surfer* Jeff Clark , American poet* Jeff Clark , bassist in Death By Stereo- See also :* Jeff Clarke * Geoff Clark...
, several people - Joe ClarkJoe ClarkCharles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
(born 1939), former Prime Minister of Canada - John Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Jonas Gilman ClarkJonas Gilman ClarkJonas Gilman Clark was an American businessman, and the founder of Clark University. He started his business career in Massachusetts, before moving to California in the 1850s. He had a successful entrepreneurial career...
(1815–1900), American businessman and the founder of Clark University - Joseph Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Joshua ClarkJoshua Clark-Hurricane Katrina:Clark's book Heart Like Water: Surviving Katrina and Life in a Disaster Zone was a National Book Critics Circle nominee in the category of Memoir/Autobiography. Clark, who lives in the Vieux Carré Pontalba Buildings overlooking Jackson Square, remained in New Orleans during...
, (born 1980), American writer - Karen ClarkKaren ClarkKaren J. Clark is a Minnesota politician, and a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A Democrat, Clark represents District 61A, which includes portions of the city of Minneapolis in the Twin Cities metropolitan area including portions of the Phillips, Ventura Village, Seward, and...
(born 1945), American politician from Minnesota - Katy ClarkKaty ClarkKathryn Sloan Clark is a British Labour Party politician and former trade union official who has been the Member of Parliament for North Ayrshire and Arran since 2005.-Early life:...
(born 1967), British politician and trade union official - Kenneth Clark (psychologist) (1914–2005), African American psychologist who testified in Brown v. Board of Education
- Kenneth ClarkKenneth ClarkKenneth McKenzie Clark, Baron Clark, OM, CH, KCB, FBA was a British author, museum director, broadcaster, and one of the best-known art historians of his generation...
(1902–1983), British art historian; creator of the series Civilisation - Leslie J. Clark (1924–2003), British engineer and founder of Parvalux
- Louis ClarkLouis ClarkLouis Clark is a British musical arranger and keyboard player.He trained at Leeds College of Music. He was the conductor of the orchestra and choir hired to back Electric Light Orchestra's sound, introduced on their album Eldorado in 1974...
, musician and conductor with the Orchestra (former members of ELO and ELO Part II) - Manning ClarkManning ClarkCharles Manning Hope Clark, AC , an Australian historian, was the author of the best-known general history of Australia, his six-volume A History of Australia, published between 1962 and 1987...
(1915–1991), Australian historian - Marcus R. ClarkMarcus R. ClarkMarcus R. Clark is a Republican member of the Louisiana Supreme Court from West Monroe, Louisiana, United States, who won his current position in a special election held on October 17, 2009, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Republican Justice Chet D. Traylor of Monroe, formerly of...
(born 1956), Louisiana Supreme Court justice - Mark Wayne ClarkMark Wayne ClarkMark Wayne Clark was an American general during World War II and the Korean War and was the youngest lieutenant general in the U.S. Army...
(1896–1984), American Army General in WW2 (Italy) and the Korean War - Martin Phillip Clark (Born–1990), England Based Commercial Photographer
- Nancy B. ClarkNancy B. ClarkNancy B. Clark of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, is a philatelist who served the philatelic community by her pioneering work with the Boy Scouts of America and her dedication to work at the American Philatelic Society.-Philatelic activity:...
, person of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts - Naomi ClarkNaomi ClarkNaomi Clark, played by AnnaLynne McCord, is a fictional character from the CW primetime drama 90210, the fourth series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
, fictional character from The CW primetime drama 90210, the fourth series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise - Ocky ClarkOcky ClarkOctavius Rene Clark was born November 14, 1960 in Sanford, Florida. He grew-upon his grandparent’s farm in Bookertown, named after Booker T. Washington. Clark would interject Booker T. Washington’s words of “nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work” into...
(born 1960), American middle distance runner - Otey ClarkOtey ClarkWilliam Otis Clark was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox in 1945. He was born in Boscobel, Wisconsin. The 29-year-old rookie stood 6-foot 1-1/2-inches and weighed 190 pounds....
(born 1915), American baseball pitcher - Ramsey ClarkRamsey ClarkWilliam Ramsey Clark is an American lawyer, activist and former public official. He worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, which included service as United States Attorney General from 1967 to 1969, under President Lyndon B. Johnson...
(born 1927), American Attorney General and activist - Ranza ClarkRanza ClarkRanza Clark is a retired middle distance runner from Canada, who won the gold medal in the women's 1.500 metres at the 1983 Pan American Games. She represented her native country at the 1984 Summer Olympics, finishing in 15th place in the women's 800 metres.-Achievements:-References:*...
(born 1961), Canadian middle distance runner - Roger ClarkRoger ClarkRoger Albert Clark, MBE, was a British rally driver during the 1960s and '70s, and the first competitor from his country to win a World Rally Championship event when he triumphed at the 1976 RAC Rally.-Biography:...
, British rally driver - Ryan Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Samuel Clark (disambiguation)Samuel Clark (disambiguation)Samuel Clark may refer to:*Samuel Clark, U.S. politician from New York and Michigan*Samuel Clark , Wales international rugby player*Samuel Delbert Clark Canadian sociologist*Samuel M. Clark, politician from Iowa...
, several people - Samuel Delbert ClarkSamuel Delbert ClarkSamuel Delbert "Del" Clark, was a Canadian sociologist. He was married to Rosemary Landry Clark for 63 years . His living children are Samuel Clark and W...
(1910–2003), Canadian sociologist - Sherman ClarkSherman ClarkSherman Rockwell Clark was an American rower who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he was the coxswain of the American boat from the United States Naval Academy, which won the gold medal in the eights. He also won the silver medal as coxswain of the American boat in the coxed fours...
(1899–1980), American Olympic rower and Rear Admiral - Simon ClarkSimon ClarkSimon Clark is a horror novel writer from Doncaster, England. One of his most notable works is the novel The Night of the Triffids.Clark has been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel, World Fantasy Award for Best Novella and British Fantasy Award...
, English horror novel writer - Steve ClarkSteve ClarkStephen Maynard Clark was an English musician, co-lead guitarist for the British hard rock band Def Leppard up until his death in 1991 due to a combination of alcohol and multiple prescription drugs...
(1960–1991), British guitarist for Def Leppard - Stuart ClarkStuart ClarkStuart Rupert Clark is an Australian International cricketer who plays domestic cricket for the New South Wales Blues. He plays as a right-arm fast-medium bowler...
(born 1975), Australian cricketer - Theresa Maria ClarkTheresa Maria ClarkTheresa Maria Clark , of New York, was a philatelist and philatelic editor. She was born Theresa Maria Scheidemantel and married Hugh Massey Clark.-Philatelic activity:...
(c.1890–1953), person of New York - Thomas Clark (disambiguation), several people
- Tom Clark (journalist), Canadian television journalist
- Tom C. ClarkTom C. ClarkThomas Campbell Clark was United States Attorney General from 1945 to 1949 and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States .- Early life and career :...
(1899–1977), Attorney General of the United States, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, father of Attorney General Ramsey Clark - Tracy Clark, fictional character from The CW primetime drama 90210
- Wendel ClarkWendel ClarkWendel L. Clark is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is perhaps best known for being a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League , captaining the team from 1991 to 1994...
(born 1966), retired Canadian ice hockey player - Wesley K. Clark (born 1944), American Army General in the Vietnam War and Kosovo
- Wilfrid Le Gros ClarkWilfrid Le Gros ClarkSir Wilfrid Edward Le Gros Clark was a British anatomist surgeon, primatologist and palaeoanthropologist, today best remembered for his contribution to the study of human evolution....
(1895–1971), British palaeanthropologist - Will ClarkWill ClarkWilliam Nuschler Clark, Jr. is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the San Francisco Giants from to .Will was known by the nickname of "Will the Thrill"...
(born 1964), American baseball player - William Clark (disambiguation)William Clark (disambiguation)-Politics:* William Clark , American soldier and explorer; governor of Missouri Territory* William Clark , American politician, US Congressman from Pennsylvania, and Treasurer of the United States...
, several people - The Clark SistersThe Clark SistersThe Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group consisting of four sisters:Jacky Clark Chisholm, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard. A fifth sister, Denise Clark Bradford, no longer performs with the group. The Clark Sisters are the daughters of legendary...
, American gospel vocalists from Detroit
See also
- Clark (taxonomic authority)
- ClarkeClarkeClarke is a common surname, being the 20th most common surname in England as of 2008. Clarke is an English surname and is a variant of Clark, Clerk or Clerke; the word deriving from the Old English word 'clerc' for a cleric or scribe. It is from a medieval occupational name for a scribe or...
- Clerke (disambiguation)