Blunt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The ancient Norman culture that was established in England after the Conquest of 1066 produced the name of Blunt. It was given to a person with blond hair having derived from the Anglo-Norman French word blunt, which means blond. 1

Early Origins of the Blunt family

The surname Blunt was first found in Suffolk where the Blounts or Blunts, as they are more modernly called, trace their heritage to the Normans, specifically to Rudolph, Count of Guisnes, who nobly assisted Duke William of Normandy to conquer the Saxons at Hastings, in 1066. Sir Robert de Blount (c.1029-1066) had command of the Conqueror's ships during the invasion and was amply rewarded. Sir William, his brother, commanded his foot soldiers at Hastings. 2

These two great nobles received lands in Suffolk, Sir Robert became Baron of Ixworth, Lord of Orford Castle, and Sir William got seven lordships at Saxlingham in the county of Sussex. Each of these branches flourished and there is a record of each succeeding Baron in each estate. Both are recorded in the Domesday Book with their various properties. 3

John de Blund or Blunt (c. 1175-1248), Chancellor of York, was one of the leaders of the movement for the restoration of the university of Oxford to its ancient position as a seat of learning. He was Archbishop of Canterbury-elect in 1232. 4

In Scotland, the name is more often than not a variant of Blund. John le Blunt of Eskeby from Dumfriesshire, rendered homage to King Edward I of England in 1296. Interestingly, Hugh de Abirbuthenoth, who gifted the church of Garuoch to the monastery of Arnbroath in 1292, was commonly designated Hugo Blundus or Le Blond, from the flaxen color of his hair. However, the first record in Scotland was sometime before 1200 when Rodbert Blundus witnessed a charier by Roger de Quenci. Later Adam Blundus witnessed a confirmation charter by the Chapter of Brechin c. 1212-1218. John Blund who witnessed a charter by Matilda, countess of Angus, c. 1242-1248 is probably the John Blundus who appears as a charter witness in Brechin in 1267. 5

Back in England, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included listings of: Melodia le Blount, Huntingdonshire; Margareta le Blound, Cambridgeshire; Richard le Blont, Wiltshire; Alan le Blund, Oxfordshire; and Richard le Blunt, Wiltshire. 6

Ascelina le Blund, or Blunt was listed in Norfolk in 1272 7 and John le Blont, was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 8 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Johannes Blont; and Ricardus Blont. 6

Later, Robert de Houton was rector of the church of St. Elphin, Warrington, Lancashire and was confirmed the 3rd of April 1330. 9

Early History of the Blunt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blunt research. Another 197 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1403, 1493, 1502, 1529, 1540, 1563, 1565, 1580, 1594, 1597, 1600, 1601, 1604, 1606, 1617, 1618, 1624, 1632, 1640, 1649, 1654, 1666, 1670, 1679, 1693, 1697 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Blunt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blunt Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Blount, Blunt, Blond, Blonde, Blund and others.

Early Notables of the Blunt family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Thomas Blount (d. 1400), supporter of Richard II; Sir Walter Blount (died 1403), soldier and supporter of John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster), served as the royal standard bearer, mistaken for the k...

Blunt Ranking

In the United States, the name Blunt is the 3,212^nd most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 10

Migration of the Blunt family to Ireland

Some of the Blunt family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blunt migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Blunt or a variant listed above:

Blunt Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Blunt, who settled in Virginia in 1652
Gilbert Blunt, who landed in Virginia in 1652 11
Jon Blunt, who landed in Virginia in 1652 11
Edward Blunt, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 11
Thomas Blunt, who landed in Virginia in 1653 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blunt Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Blunt, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 11
Jahn Blunt, who landed in Virginia in 1716 11
Henrich Blunt, who landed in New York, NY in 1782 11

Blunt Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hannah, Joseph, Mary, Melliant, Phoebe, Samuel, Sara and William Blunt, all, who arrived in New York in 1820
Basheba Blunt, who landed in Texas in 1835 11
Bathsheba Blunt, who arrived in Texas in 1835 11
Benjm Blunt, aged 30, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1838 11
George Blunt, who landed in Missouri in 1839 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blunt migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Blunt Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Isaac Blunt, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760

Blunt migration to Australia +

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

Blunt Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Job Blunt, English convict from Northampton, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Thomas Blunt, English convict from Northampton, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Lydia Blunt, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" in 1839 13
Julia Blunt, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" in 1839 13
James Love Blunt, aged 27, a bricklayer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Caroline" 14

Blunt 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:

Blunt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. James Blunt, (b. 1862), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 15
Mr. William Blunt, (b. 1822), aged 40, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 15
Mrs. Anne Blunt, (b. 1825), aged 37, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 15
Miss Mary A. Blunt, (b. 1851), aged 11, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 15
Mr. Tom Blunt, (b. 1852), aged 10, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blunt migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16

Blunt Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Charles, Christopher, and Joanne Blunt, who settled in Jamaica in 1663

Contemporary Notables of the name Blunt (post 1700) +

James Blunt (b. 1974), stage name of James Hillier Blount, English Grammy Award nominated singer-songwriter and former reconnaissance officer for the British Army, awarded an Honorary Doctorate for Music in 2016 by University of Bristol
Theodore Blunt (1943-2024), American politician, educator, and athlete
Herschel Leroy Blunt (1921-2016), American politician, Member of the Missouri House of Representatives (1979-1986)
Roy D. Blunt (b. 1950), American Republican politician, Secretary of State of Missouri, 1985-93; President, Southwest Baptist University, 1993-96.; U.S. Representative from Missouri 7th District, 1997- 17
Roscoe Blunt, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1984 17
Raymond S. Blunt Sr., American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1956 17
Matthew Roy Blunt (b. 1970), American Republican politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives 139th District, 1999-2000; Secretary of State of Missouri, 2001-05; Governor of Missouri, 2005- 17
John H. Blunt, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Ashland, Virginia, 1889-94 17
Jeffrey Charles Blunt, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for Texas State House of Representatives 125th District, 2006, 2010 17
G. W. Blunt, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1856 17
... (Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Blunt family +

HMS Hood

Mr. William H T Blunt (b. 1923), Welsh Leading Cook (S) serving for the Royal Navy from Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 18

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Walter Terence Blunt, British Pay Lieutenant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 19
Mr. John Irvin Blunt, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 19

The Blunt Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Lux Tua, via mea
Motto Translation: Thy light is my way.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) KATHERINE STEWART FORBES 1837 arrived Holdfast Bay, near Adelaide, on October 17, 1837. . Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837KatherineStewartForbes.htm
South Australian Register Thursday 26th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Caroline 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/caroline1855.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html