Origin of the surname Le clercq

This interesting name is an occupational term for a scribe or secretary. The word derives from the Old French 'clerc', a priest, deriving ultimately from the Latin 'clericus' and its Greek equivalent. In Medieval times the clergy as learned men frequently undertook scribed and administrative tasks. Some of them, members of minor orders were permitted to marry. By extension, such learned persons were called clerks. Cognates of the name Le Clercq are found widely distributed wherever the feudal system held sway.

It was introduced to England first by the Normans. A Richerius 'clericus' is recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. The surname Le Clercq was reintroduced to England by Huguenots fleeing from persecution in the 17th Century. Many settled in London where they were active in promoting business and industry. A christening of one Isaac Le Clercq son of Philipe and Jeanne de Lof occurred on May 13th 1621 at the Threadneedle Street, Huguenot Church, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William the Clerec, which was dated 1100, Somerset Records, during the reign of King Henry 1, 'The Lion of Justice', 1100 - 1135. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Le clercq. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname le_clercq is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname le_clercq, and in addition to the original locations of le_clercq, we can find out where people with the surname le_clercq can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of le_clercq.

The surname Le clercq around the world

The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname le_clercq provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations. The mobility of people carrying the surname le_clercq has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Le clercq

For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname le_clercq, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of le_clercq developed. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname le_clercq are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname le_clercq.

We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about le_clercq and send it to us, we will update it on this website. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname le_clercq or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of le_clercq.

Notable Figures Named Le clercq

Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname le_clercq were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. A surname like le_clercq can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname le_clercq, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.

The surname Le clercq and its bibliographic sources

The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of le_clercq are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname le_clercq, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of le_clercq.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of le_clercq, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Le clercq