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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The origins of the Black surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name originated with an early member who was a person associated with the color black. The name Black may have referred to someone with black hair or clothing, or to somone who worked in a profession such as chimney sweeping, which left its practitioners covered in soot.

Early Origins of the Black family

The surname Black was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. It is said that the first family of Black were converted to Christianity by Paulinus, the head of the family being Prefect of Lincoln, about 628. They moved northward, however, and were well established in Scotland by 1175 A.D.

Early History of the Black family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Black research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1756, 1760, 1778, 1797, 1854, 1886 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Black History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Black Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Black has been recorded under many different variations, including Black, Blacke and others.

Early Notables of the Black family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • George Albert Black (January 17, 1778-19 May 1854) was a Canadian politician and businessman and an important shipbuilder in Quebec

Black World Ranking

In the United States, the name Black is the 149th most popular surname with an estimated 156,681 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Black is ranked the 198th most popular surname with an estimated 18,981 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Black is the 124th popular surname with an estimated 21,615 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Black as 95th with 4,119 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Black as 180th with 30,597 people. 5

Ireland Migration of the Black family to Ireland

Some of the Black family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Black migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Black or a variant listed above:

Black Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edward Black, who landed in Virginia in 1637 6
  • Henry Black, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1645 6
  • Richard Black, who landed in New England in 1645 6
  • Daniel Black, who was banished to America, arriving in Boston in 1652
  • Jacke Black, who landed in Virginia in 1657 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Black Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Eliza Black, who landed in Virginia in 1702 6
  • Abraham Black, who landed in Virginia in 1713 6
  • Jacob Black, who settled in New England in 1718
  • Thomas Black, who arrived in Virginia in 1740 6
  • David Black, who arrived in Georgia in 1741 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Black Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Black, who landed in America in 1805 6
  • Edward Black, who arrived in America in 1806 6
  • Hugh Black, who arrived in Allegany (ALlegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1807 6
  • William Black, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 6
  • W Black, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Black migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Black Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • William Black, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • William Black, who settled in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1775
  • William Black, aged 43, who landed in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1775
  • Mr. James Black U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 7
  • Mr. Jonathan Black U.E. who settled in Augusta Township, Grenville County, Ontario c. 1783 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Black Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Walter Black, who arrived in Canada in 1821
  • Mary Anne Black, aged 4, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833
  • Matty Black, aged 1, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833
  • Robert Black, aged 3, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833
  • Sibby Black, aged 45, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Black migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Black Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Black, (b. 1796), aged 25, English ploughman who was convicted in Cumbria (Cumberland), England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 8
  • Mr. William Black, British convict who was convicted in Northumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
  • Thomas Black, a carpenter, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Robert Black, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "John Renwick" in 1837 10
  • Elizabeth Black, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "John Renwick" in 1837 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Black Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Charles Black, (b. 1875), aged 37, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Rimutaka" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 26th March 1912 11
  • Mrs. Kitty Black, (b. 1872), aged 40, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Rimutaka" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 26th March 1912 11
  • Miss Mabel Black, (b. 1904), aged 8, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Rimutaka" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 26th March 1912 11

New Zealand Black migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Black Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Andrew Black, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Mr. Black, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Earl of Lonsdale" arriving in Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand on 11th April 1841 12
  • Mr. William Black, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Fyffe" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 7th November 1842 12
  • Alexander Black, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1843
  • Mrs. Black, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Blundell" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 21st September 1848 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Black (post 1700) +

  • William B. Black (1941-2023), American politician, Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1986 until 2011, Deputy Republican Leader
  • Jay Black (1938-2021), born David Blatt, an American singer, also known as "The Voice," lead singer of the band Jay and the Americans
  • Timuel Dixon Black Jr. (1918-2021), American educator, civil rights activist, historian and author; he participated in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Chicago Freedom Movement during 1965 and 1966
  • Leon Black (d. 2021), American college basketball coach for the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team from 1967 to 1976
  • Charles Frank "Charlie" Black (1949-2021), American country music songwriter, inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association International Hall of Fame in 1991
  • Elizabeth "Bo" Black (1946-2020), American model and businesswoman, festival director of Summerfest
  • Helen Chatfield Black (d. 2018), American leading naturalist and conservationist in the Greater Cincinnati area
  • John C. "J. L." Black (1933-2017), American politician, Member of the Georgia State Senate (1994–1996)
  • Brigadier-General Garland Cuzorte Black (1894-1951), American Commandant Army Service Forces Training Center (1945-1946) 13
  • Brigadier-General Frederick Harry Black (1894-1986), American Commanding Officer Artillery 99th Division (1943-1945) 14
  • ... (Another 27 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Hasland O Black (1938-1985), American Command Sergeant Major from Lafayette, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 15
Empress of Ireland
  • Mrs. Rosina Black (1881-1914), née Leitch Canadian Second Class Passenger from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 16
  • Mr. John Wilson Black (1875-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 16
HMS Cornwall
  • Robert Alastair Lucien Black, British Sub Lieutenant (A) aboard the HMS Cornwall (1942) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 17
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. George Black, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 18
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. William Black, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 19
HMS Royal Oak
  • John Black (1921-1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 20
Lady of the Lake
  • Miss Ann Black (b. 1811), Irish traveller from Derry, Ireland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. James Joseph Black, English 1st Class Passenger from Liverpool, England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 21
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Alexander Black (d. 1912), aged 28, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 22
  • Mr. D. Black (d. 1912), aged 41, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 22
USS Arizona
  • Mr. James Theron Black, American Private from Alabama, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 23

Suggested Readings for the name Black +

  • Black Family Record by Doris Louise Black.
  • Climbing Our Family Tree by Edith Black and Lois Jones.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  4. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  5. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  6. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  7. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  8. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  10. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) JOHN RENWICK 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837JohnRenwick.htm
  11. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
  12. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  13. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 6) Garland Black. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Black/Garland_Cuzorte/USA.html
  14. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 6) Frederick Black. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Black/Frederick_Harry/USA.html
  15. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  16. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  17. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  18. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  19. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  20. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  21. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  22. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  23. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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