Origin of the Cleary Surname
The Cleary surname is of European origin (European). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #2,280 with 15,980 Americans (5.42 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Cleary traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Cleary |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | European |
| Language | European |
| US Rank (2010) | #2,280 |
| US Count (2010) | 15,980 |
| Per 100K People | 5.42 |
| First Letter | C |
Ethnic Distribution of Cleary
Among 15,980 Americans named Cleary, the largest self-reported group is White (92.38%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Cleary Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Cleary moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Cleary family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Cleary Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Cleary Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Cleary
- ✓ The Cleary coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Cleary families live today
- ✓ Notable Cleary bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Cleary fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Cleary
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Cleary.
Other European Surnames
Explore more surnames with European roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same European origin as Cleary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleary
Top Surnames Starting with C
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter C, ranked by population.
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