Origin & Meaning of the Clay Surname
What does the last name Clay mean?
The surname Clay carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 48,844 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Clay ranks as the #708 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Clay come from?
The Clay surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Clay name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Clay trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Clay |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #708 |
| US Count (2010) | 48,844 |
| Per 100K People | 16.56 |
| First Letter | C |
Ethnic Distribution of Clay
According to the US Census, the Clay surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 48,844 Americans with the Clay last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 52.74% |
| Black | 40.5% |
| Hispanic | 2.43% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.49% |
| Native American | 0.94% |
| Two or More Races | 2.9% |
Popularity of Clay Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Clay surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Clay surname increased by 2,580 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Clay
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Clay.
Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Clay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clay
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