* One possible origin is from the Latin name Clemens, which means "merciful" or "gentle." This name was borne by several early Christian saints, including Pope Clement I and Clement of Alexandria, and was later adopted as a surname.
* Another possible origin is from the Old English word "clement," which means "mild" or "gentle." This word was used to describe the weather, as well as people's dispositions. It was also occasionally used as a given name, and later adopted as a surname.
* Finally, Clements may also be a patronymic surname, derived from the given name Clement. This type of surname is formed by adding the suffix "-son" or "-s" to the father's given name, indicating that the bearer is the son of Clement.
The surname Clements is first recorded in England in the 12th century, and was most common in the south and west of the country. It has also been found in other parts of the British Isles, as well as in Europe, North America, and Australia.