Meaning and History of the Surname Clement

From the Late Latin given name "Clemens," the Clement surname means "merciful and gentle." CLEMENT is the English version and CLÉMENT is French. CLEMENTE is a common Italian and Spanish version of the surname, also originating from the given name "Clemens."

Surname Origin: French, English, Dutch

Alternate Surname Spellings: CLEMENS, CLEMENTS, CLEMENTE, CLEMMONS, CLEMONS, CLEMMENT

Fun Fact about the Surname Clement

Clement was the name of fourteen different popes, including Saint Clement I, the fourth pope and first of the Apostolic Fathers.

Famous People with the Surname CLEMENT

• Gustave Adolphe Clément-Bayard - 19th-century French entrepreneur and industrialist
• Jean-Pierre Clément - French economist and historian
• Martin W. Clement - 11th president of the Pennsylvania railroad
• Nicolas Clément - French chemist
• - MLB baseball player and humanitarian

Where is the CLEMENT Surname Most Common?

According to surname distribution from Forebears, the Clement surname is found most prevalently in Nigeria, but in the greatest numbers in France, where it ranks as the 75th most common surname in the country. Clement is also a fairly common last name in Luxembourg (195th most common surname), Wales (339th), Canada (428th) and Switzerland (485th).

Genealogy Resources for the Surname CLEMENT

French Surname Meanings and Origins
Does your last name have origins in France? Learn about the various origins of French surnames and explore the meanings of some of the most common French last names.

How to Research-French Ancestry
Learn about the various types of genealogical records available for researching ancestors in France and how to access them.

Clement Clements Clemmons Y DNA Project
Join with other genealogists interested in combining Y-DNA testing with traditional genealogy research in order to identify common Clement ancestors worldwide. Surnames included in the project include Clement, Clements, Clemmons, Clemons and Clemens.

Clement Family Crest - It's Not What You Think
Contrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Clement family crest or coat of arms for the Clement surname. Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male-line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted.

CLEMENT Family Genealogy Forum
Search this popular genealogy forum for the Clement surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or post your own Clement query.

DistantCousin.com - CLEMENT Genealogy & Family History
Explore free databases and genealogy links for the last name Clement.

GeneaNet - Clement Records
GeneaNet includes archival records, family trees, and other resources for individuals with the Clement surname, with a concentration on records and families from France and other European countries.

The Clement Genealogy and Family Tree Page
Browse genealogy records and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the Clement surname from the website of Genealogy Today.

Sources

Cottle, Basil. Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967.

Dorward, David. Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998.

Fucilla, Joseph. Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003.

Hanks, Patrick, and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989.

Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003.

Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997.

Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.