Show ContentsClardy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Clardy

What does the name Clardy mean?

The Clardy name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Clardy is derived from the given name Clarice, a very popular personal name during the Middle Ages. 1 This name is of metronymic origin. In this case the original bearer of the surname was the mother, whose children were named after her first name.

The name may also have originally been from Normandy as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Muriel de la Clergesse, Normandy, 1198. 2

Early Origins of the Clardy family

The surname Clardy was first found in Cambridgeshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has two entries for the same individual with two different spellings: Henry serviens Claricie, Cambridgeshire; and Henry serviens Clarugge, Cambridgeshire. 1

Early History of the Clardy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clardy research. Another 38 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1653, 1656, 1660, 1695, 1705, 1728 and 1780 are included under the topic Early Clardy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clardy Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Clardy were recorded, including Claridge, Clarridge, Clarges, Clargeis, Claredge, Clarredge, Claradge, Clarradge, Claridges, Clarridges, Claredges and many more.

Early Notables of the Clardy family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas Clarges (c 1618-1695), an English politician, Member of Parliament for the Sheriffdoms of Ross, Sutherland, and Cromarty in 1656, Member of Parliament for Westminster in 1660, he was a important messenger between Richard Cromwell and Charles II. George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle noted in his letter to Charles II telling him that "he chose to send Mr. Clarges to...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Clardy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clardy Ranking

In the United States, the name Clardy is the 8,957th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Clardy family to Ireland

Some of the Clardy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Clardy migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Clardy family emigrate to North America:

Clardy Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Y. Clardy, aged 45, who immigrated to America, in 1909
  • George D. Clardy, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States, in 1914
  • Maria Clardy, aged 32, who landed in America from Moyle, Co Carlow, Ireland, in 1916

Contemporary Notables of the name Clardy (post 1700) +

  • Herman Stacy Clardy III, United States Marine Corps major general
  • Jon Clardy (b. 1943), American professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Harvard Medical School
  • Martin Linn Clardy (1844-1914), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri (1879-1883) and (1883-1889)
  • John Daniel Clardy (1828-1918), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1895-1899)
  • Travis P. Clardy, American politician, Texas State Representative from District 11 (2012-)
  • Martin Linn Clardy (1844-1914), American politician, lawyer and railroad executive
  • Kit Francis Clardy (1892-1961), American politician from the state of Michigan and staunch anti-communist


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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