Recorded in several forms including Clink, Clinck, Clineck, Clinnick, Clynnicke, Klinck, Klink, Klincke, and probably others, this is a medieval English surname. Derived from the pre 7th century Olde English word "clencian", it was occupational, and described a maker or fixer of iron bolts and rivets, particularly in association with ship building and windmills. It is recorded that in the year 1323 during the reign of King Richard 11nd of England (1307 - 1327), one "Richard Spark, clenchar, was paid four and a half pence per day for clinching and riveting great nails". Occupational surnames originally denoted the actual occupation followed by an individual, and only became hereditary when a son or perhaps a grandson, followed the father into the same business or profession. Amongst the early recordings are the christening of Agnes Clinnick on March 25th 1695 at St. German's in Cornwall, whilst at St. Andrew's Holborn, in the city of London, John Havers Clinck was christened on February 20th 1772, and Mary, the daugher of Philip Klinck was christened at St Martins in the Field, westminster, on September 4th 1791. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Martin Clink. This was dated 1327, in the Subsidy Tax rolls of the county of Suffolk, during the reign of King Edward 111rd of England, and known to history as "The Father of the Royal Navy", 1327 - 1377. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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