Cleary is an Irish surname, which derives from the Gaelic Ó Cléirigh/Mac Cleirigh, meaning 'descendant or son of cleric'. It is also often anglicized as Clark. Notable people with the surname include:
Audrey Cleary (1930–2019), American politician and nurse Bernard Cleary (1937–2020), Canadian politician Beverly Cleary (1916–2021), American author Bill Cleary (born 1934), American hockey player Brendan Cleary (born 1958), Irish poet Brian P. Cleary (born 1959), American humorist, poet and author Daniel Cleary (born 1978), Canadian hockey player Eilish Cleary (1963–2024), Irish-Canadian physician and health advocate Gabriel Cleary (born 1945), Irish engineer Ivan Cleary (born 1971), Australian rugby league footballer and coach Joe Cleary (1918–2004), Irish baseball player John Cleary (disambiguation), many people Jon Cleary (1917–2010), Australian author Jon Cleary (musician) (born 1962), American musician Mark Cleary (professor) (born 1954), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford Michael Cleary (disambiguation), various including Michael Cleary (rugby) (born 1940), Australian politician and dual-code rugby footballer Michael J. Cleary (1925–2020), Irish bishop Michael Cleary (hurler) (born 1966), former Irish hurler for Nenagh Éire Óg and Tipperary Father Michael Cleary (1934–1993), Irish Roman Catholic priest M. H. Cleary (1853–1933), American politician, lawyer, and physician Nathan Cleary (born 1997), Australian rugby league footballer Nikki Cleary (born 1988), American singer Paul Cleary (born 1976), Australian middle-distance runner Phil Cleary (born 1952), Australian commentator Patrick Roger Cleary (1858–1948), founder of Cleary University Russell G. Cleary (1933–1997), American businessman and lawyer Sean Cleary (footballer) (born 1983), Irish football player Sean Cleary (rugby league), Irish rugby league footballer Siobhán Cleary (born 1970), Irish Composer Thomas Cleary (1949–2021), author and translator Timothy Cleary, (1900–1962), New Zealand lawyer and judge William J. Cleary (1870–1952), American politician
See also Cleary (disambiguation) McCleary Clary (surname)