CLARK(E), surnames of England, Scotland and Ireland, from Old
English cler(e)c, Latin clericus. "The original sense was 'a man in a
religious order, cleric, clergyman.' As all writing and secretarial
Work
in the Middle Ages was done by the clergy, the term came to mean
'scholar, secretary, recorder or penman."' As a surname, "it was
particularly common for one who had taken only minor
orders" (Reaney). Clarke "usually stands for O'Cleary in
Ireland" (MacLysaght).
The forms Clark and Clarke are widespread and indiscriminate in
England; Guppy found Clark dispersed over a large part of Scotland,
but rare in the north; MacLysaght traced Clarke in Dublin.

In Newfoundland:
Family tradition: The Clarkes in the Trinity area, Bonaventure and
Cuckold's Cove (now Dunfield) came from Devon or Poole (Dorset)
about 1525 (MUN Folklore).
Early instances: William Clark, of Crockers Cove (Carbonear), 1775,
property "in possession of the Family for 70 years," that is, 1705 (CO
199.18); William of ? St. John's,? 1706 (CO 194.24); John Clark(e),
J.P. for the Bonavista district,? 1730, 1732 (CO 194.9); John, of
Carbonear, 1765 (CO 199.18); John Clark, of Placentia (?district),
1744 (CO 194.24); John and Isaac, of Brigus, 1770 (CO 199.18);
John Clarke, fisherman of Port de Grave, 1782 (Nfld. Archives T22);
Robert Clark(e), of Trinity Bay, 1782, of Trinity, 1795, of Cuckold's
Cove (now Dunfield), 1803 (DPHW 64); Samuel and John Clarke,
merchants of Harbour Breton 1803 (D'Alberti 13); John Clark, of Broad
Cove (Bay de Verde district), 1804 (CO 199.18); Anne, of Harbour Grace
Parish, 1806 (Nfld. Archives HGRC); John, of Burin, 1805 (D'Alberti
15); Pat, one of 72 impressed men who sailed from Ireland
to Newfoundland,? 1811 (CO 194. 51); William, of Twillingate, 1811
(D'Alberti 22); William, of Turk's Cove (Trinity B.), 1814 (DPHW 48);
Anne Clarke, of St. John's, 1814 (Nfld. Archives BRC); Bridget, from
Waterford City, married at St. John's, 1816 (Nfld. Archives BRC);
Flora Clark, of Heart's Content, 1819 (Nfld. Archives KCRC); Robert
Clarke, of British Harbour, 1819 (DPHW 64); Thomas, of Petty
Harbour, 181 (DPHW 26B); Robert Clark, of Bonavista, 1821 (DPHW
70); Richard Clarke, of Catalina, 1821 (Nfld. Archives KCRC); Joseph
Clark, of Bonaventure (unspecified), 1825 (DPHW 64B); Joseph,
of Careless (now Kerley' s) Harbour, 1827 (DPHW 64B); James
Clarck, of White Hills (St. John's), 1829 (Nfld. Archives BRC);
Solomon Clarke, planter of Freshwater (Carbonear), 1830
(DPHW 48); John Joseph from Liverpool, married at St. John's, 1838
(Nfld. Archives BRC); Mary Clark, of Portugal Cove, 1839 (DPHW
26D); William Clarke, of Kings Cove Parish, 1839 (Nfld. Archives
KCRC); John Clark, of Island Cove (now Dunfield, 1845 (DPHW 64B);
John, of Little River (Burgeo-La Poile), 1847 (DPHW 101); Charles
Clarke, of Garia, 1858 (DPHW 98); Joseph Clark, of Lower Island
Cove, 1859 (DPHW 55); John, of Harbour Grace, 1869 (Nfld.
Archives HGRC); Clark(e) widespread in Lovell 1871.
George
Clarke, of Heart’s Desire, William John Clarke, Wm John of New Harbour, Trinity bay.

Modern status: Clark, scattered, especially at St. John's; Clarke,
widespread, especially at Little Bay East (Fortune B.), Gilesport
(Electors 1955), Corner Brook, Dunfield, Little St. Lawrence with
large concentrations at Carbonear, Victoria and St. John's.

Place names: Clark Cove (Labrador) 52-39 55-47;------ Lake
(Labrador) 53-35 66-35; -----Point 47-34 54-52, 49-18 54-30;
---- Rock 50-44 56-10; Clarke Cove 47-53 55-48, 49-41 55-54;
------ Head 47-51 55-50; Inlet (Labrador) 57-45 6 1-40;
-----Clarke's Beach 47-33 53-17; ------Cove 49-39 54-35;
----- Head 49-18 54-30; ------Pond 47-31 53-19; Clarkes Tickle
(Labrador) 56-30 61-18; Clarke's Beach Pond 47-33 53-17; Clarks
Brook 47-46 53-14, 49-01 58-08; Pond 47-19 53-19.

The surname Clarke makes this family clever, creative, ambitious, and self-reliant. They have high standards regarding being honest, following through on promises, and respecting the rights of the individual. However, they have a naivety in expecting others to adhere to the same standards; thus they can be let down and disappointed and feel resentment as a result. The inner desire is for stability and settled conditions, but the inclination is to be restless, adventuresome, and impulsive. This conflict may result in personal and financial losses and bitter experiences. Because of their versatility and ingenuity, they are able to excel in a variety of endeavors. They are perceptive and visionary, and often attract positions of prestige and responsibility. However, they may not reap the fruition of their efforts because of not persevering when progress requires attention to detail, routine, and patience, or because they lose interest when the novelty of an undertaking wears off. They seek for the reason of things. Although they may rely on hunches, they are analytical, and when they reach a conclusion in their thinking, they are not readily dissuaded. It is difficult for them to merge viewpoints or accept advice and suggestions. They may be prone to exaggerate things out of proportion to their importance. When their efforts are thwarted, or freedom of action is curbed, they tend to suffer from nervous tension and moods of depression, and become critical and caustic. This family craves a warm and comforting home environment, but the intensity in expression and action undermines relaxation and congenial association. Depending on the first name used, mood swings from extreme optimism to depressing pessimism cause stress in relationships, and create an atmosphere of disharmony. Worry can result in mental disturbances. The health can be adversely affected by nervous tension and work. And so, Life goes on hahahahaha.