Surname Clee - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Clee: What does the surname Clee mean?
The surname Clee is of English origin, often associated with the town of Clee or Clee Hill in Shropshire, England. The name is topographic, given to people who lived near a hill, cliff or a bank. Specifically, it is believed to derive from the Old English word 'clif,' which means a slope or a cliff. Like many other last names derived from geographical features, individuals were probably given this name to indicate that they lived near or on a hill. Over time, it evolved into a surname passed down through generations. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Clee name originally referred to a dweller on or near a hill. However, the exact significance may vary as surnames have diverse origins and may have different meanings in different regions and dialects.
Order DNA origin analysisClee: Where does the name Clee come from?
The surname Clee is of English origin. Specifically, it is believed to be a locational surname derived from a place called Clee in the county of Lincolnshire, which itself got its name from the old English term "claeg" meaning clay. Therefore, individuals who were living in or near this location might have adopted Clee as their last name to indicate their place of residence.
In a broader term, locational surnames became a conventional means for identifying people when they moved from their birthplace to another area. They would adopt the name of their original hometown or the place they owned lands.
Today, the last name Clee is not particularly common and is distributed relatively evenly across the globe. While it may be seen in various nations, English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Canada have a higher incidence of the Clee surname due to historical migration patterns and the spread of the English language. However, it is more prevalent in England, given its origins.
Variations of the surname Clee
The surname "Clee" is derived from a geographical location in the U.K., indicating that the family originally lived near a prominent hill, or "clee". This surname is found in various forms and spellings, reflecting changes over time and location.
Variants and spellings of the surname "Clee" include: Clea, Clew, Cley, Cleigh, Cleea, Cleey, Clie, and Cliae. There are also possibilities for double 'e' and 'l' such as Clelee, Cleey, Cleelee, and Cleelie.
The surname can be traced back to families in both England and Wales, while some variations of the surname may reflect linguistic differences between the two regions.
As for the surnames of the same origin, some equivalents come from the place names that contain "clee", "clea" or "cleigh" in them. Such surnames include Cleehill, Cleethorpes, Cleedon, Cleevemount, and Cleeve.
It is quite common for surnames to have multiple variations, as these often evolved due to factors such as migration, regional dialects, and spelling inconsistencies. As a result, even names that appear quite different may share a common origin.
Famous people with the name Clee
- Tiffany LeClercq (Model/actress)
- Eric Cleese (Actor and Comedian)
- Carole Clemens (Actress)
- Devontée Clee (Rapper and Record Producer)
- Glenda Clee (Choreographer and Dancer)
- Sarah R., Clee (Author)
- Tanya Brailsford (yoga instructor and health coach)
- Suranne Clee (Actress)
- Andrea Clee (Writer and Illustrator)
- John Clee (Animator)
- Rob Clee (Musician)
- Bebe Clee (TV Show Host)
- Andrew Clee (Artist)
- Toni Lee Clee (Artist)
- Kevin C. Clee (Actor and Producer)
- Ryan Clee (Dancer)
- Diana Clee (Hair Artist)
- Bobby Clee (Musician)
- Krystal Clee (Video Editor/Filmmaker)
- Bryan Clee (Writer and Producer)