Surname McClery - Meaning and Origin
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McClery: What does the surname McClery mean?
McClery is a surname of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cleirigh" which translates to "son of the cleric" or "son of the scholar". The family with this name were originally ecclesiastical clerics or scribes and they were counted among the literate and educated class in early Irish society. The name originally comes from the province of Connacht in the west of Ireland, but its bearers have spread throughout the country and the rest of the world over the centuries. The surname McClery, like many Irish surnames, carries a rich history of its origins and reflects a bygone era of cultural and familial significance in Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisMcClery: Where does the name McClery come from?
The surname McClery is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Cléirich, meaning "son of the cleric." It suggests that ancestors of this family line may have been traditionally involved in religious or clerical work. Several variations of this surname exist due to transliteration processes, phonetic spelling, and regional differences, including McCleary, McClary, and McLeary.
The McClery surname is widespread in Northern Ireland, specifically within the counties of Antrim, Down, and Londonderry due to historic migrations and settlements. However, it is also commonly found in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, as parts of the Irish diaspora during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century led many Irish people to emigrate in search of better lives. It is particularly common in places like Pennsylvania, a popular destination for Irish immigrants. Thus, the McClery surname, in its various manifestations, can be found both in Ireland and globally, in countries having a notable Irish immigrant population.
Variations of the surname McClery
The surname McClery originates from the Irish name "Mac Cléirigh," which translates to "son of the clerk." The Anglicization of this name has created several variants and spellings over the years.
Some different spellings and variants of the surname McClery include McClary, McLery, Mccleary, McCleery, McCleary, McLary, MacLerie, MacClery, MacLery, MacClary, MacCleary, McClearie, and McLeary. In some instances, the prefix "Mac" or "Mc" may be dropped, yielding surnames such as Clery, Cleary, Clary, or Cleery.
The surname can also have different spellings due to region, dialect, or personal preference, such as M'Clery, M'Clary, or McLeerie. Given the frequent misspellings and variations in phonetic transcription of Irish names, other potential spellings might also exist.
Final note, the surname's change and adaptation over the years and across regions have resulted in several different McClery "families," not all directly related to each other.
Famous people with the name McClery
- James McClery: actor, best known for his role as Holden Dippledorf in the hit TV sitcom Friends.
- Alexander McClery: professional baseball player who played for the San Francisco Giants from 1973-1977.
- Dr. William McClery: renowned British physician who served as the personal physician of King George V and Queen Elizabeth II.
- Joe McClery: American musician and songwriter, member of the Grammy award-winning band U2.
- John McClery: former Australian politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2009 to 2012.
- Maggie McClery: American environmental activist and author of several books on climate change and renewable energy.
- Shauna McClery: Irish actress, known for her roles in the television series Poldark and Outlander.
- Colin McClery: Northern Irish comedian, known for his role in the comedy series Father Ted.
- Ashlyn McClery: Canadian competitive figure skater, four-time gold medalist and world champion.
- Tara McClery: American fashion model and actress, best known for her appearances on the cover of Vogue.