This unusual and interesting name is of Norman origin, introduced into England after the conquest of 1066 in the forms "Clarembald" and Clarebaut", a personal name from the Old German "Clarembald". The name is composed of the hybrid elements "Clarus", the latin for "famous", and the Old German "bald", meaning "bold". Interestingly, the name has been introduced into England twice, during the late 17th Century, there was a great influx of French and Flemish Huguenots into England, escaping religious persecution on the Continent. Some modern-day bearers of the name may derive it from that source as in "Anthoine Clerembault", married to "Judeth Bosquett" in the French Huguenot Church in Threadneedle St. London in 1705. "John Claringbold" was married to "Sarah Bridges" on the 8th July 1688 at St. James', Duke's Place, London, The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Clerenbald, which was dated 1223, in the "Fines Court Records of Suffolk", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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