This interesting and unusual name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a variant spelling of the name Clink, itself an occupational name for a maker or fixer of bolts and rivets. The derivation is from the Old English pre 7th Century 'clencian', with the Middle English development 'clench(en)', meaning to fix firmly. It is recorded that in 1323, 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 the individual, and it is not known when they became hereditary. Among the recordings in Cornwall is the christening of one Agnes Clinnick on March 25th 1695 at St. German's, and in St. Andrew's, Holborn, London, of John Havers Clinnick on February 20th 1772. Other variants include Clynnicke and Clineck. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Martin Clink, which was dated 1327, Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk, during the reign of King Edward 111, 'The Father of the Navy', 1327 - 1377. 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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