Map of England showing where the Clack arms are recorded
The Clack arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1768.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with a coat of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Clack arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Berks.
Origin & History of the Clack Family in England
The surname Clack is considered a locational or topographic name, likely originating from individuals who lived near a specific landmark such as a hill or a distinctive rocky outcrop. In Old English, the term "clack" often referred to a sharp sound or a clatter, but it was also used in various dialects to describe a steep or jagged hill. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a clear presence in the English county of Berkshire. Records from 1768 confirm that members of the Clack family were settled in this region, where they were likely involved in local agriculture or trade. Over time, families with this name became well-integrated into the rural communities of southern England, maintaining a steady presence in parish registers and local administrative documents throughout the following century.
Clack Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Clac
An Old English personal name derived from the word for noise.
This name
ClackA topographic name for someone living near a hill or a noisy stream.
also spelled
Clak
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Berkshire Record Office, Parish Registers for the County of Berkshire, 1768
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bordureA difference between branches of one family
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
