 The name "de Klerk" is derived from Le Clerc, Le Clercq and De Clercq, and is of French Huguenot origin (meaning "clergyman" or "literate" in old French).De Klerk noted that he is also of Dutch descent, with an Indian ancestor from the late 1600s or early 1700s.He is also said to be descended from the Khoi interpreter known as Krotoa or Eva.