Re: Meaning of the surname Clare
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In reply to:
Meaning of the surname Clare
Anthony R 3/30/04
Clare is Anglo-French-Latin and means FAMOUS, ILLUSTRIOUS.
But English and Anglo-Irish Clares derive their name, as a rule, from the Norman family or families, DE CLARE, or de ST. CLARE or ST. CLAIR.St. Clair is a common French place name.CLAIRE in Suffolk arose round the castle of Gilbert de CLARE, whose sister married the Earl of Ulster, carrying the lordship of Clare into that family.
Sinclair can be closely related.
Gary Radcliffe
West Covina, CA