| ![Show Contents]() Blackshear History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The history of the Blackshear family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living in the village of Blackall in Devon, or one of numerous other minor locations of the same name. The place-name is derived from black hall, which indicated a manor, which was dark in color or in a dark area. Early Origins of the Blackshear familyThe surname Blackshear was first found in Devon, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066. Blackhall can be found "in the regality of Garioch, Aberdeenshire. William de Blackhall who appears on a jury of inquest retouring William de Tullidaff of Lentush and Rothmaise heir of his father in 1398 is apparently the first of the name recorded. " 1 Early History of the Blackshear familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blackshear research. Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1420, 1499, 1547, 1655, 1667, 1690, 1694, 1708, 1716, 1760, 1763, 1770 and 1792 are included under the topic Early Blackshear History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Blackshear Spelling VariationsUntil quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Blackshear include Blackhall, Blackall, Blakhall, Blaikhall and many more. Early Notables of the Blackshear familyNotables of this surname at this time include: Offspring Blackall (bap. 1655-1716), Bishop of Exeter (1708-1716.) He "did not come into public notice until he was a middle-aged man, and of his early years little is known. He was born in London, and in due time became a member of St. Catharine's Hall, Cambridge, where, it may be presumed, he lived a strictly religious life, for he is mentioned as one of the intimate college friends of the saintly James Bonnell,who chose none but the godly for his companions. In 1690...
Another 91 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Blackshear Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Blackshear RankingIn the United States, the name Blackshear is the 6,615th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 2  Migration of the Blackshear family to Ireland
Some of the Blackshear family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Blackshear migration to the United States | + |
Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Blackshear or a variant listed above:
Blackshear Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Charles C. Blackshear, aged 35, who arrived in America, in 1904
- J. J Blackshear, aged 34, who arrived in America, in 1905
- Dr. C. Charles Blackshear, aged 45, who arrived in America, in 1908
| Contemporary Notables of the name Blackshear (post 1700) | + |
- Thomas Blackshear, American artist
- Ronald Blackshear Jr. (b. 1978), American former professional basketball player who played from 2004 to 2005
- Rodney Blackshear (b. 1969), American former arena football wide receiver
- Wayne Blackshear (b. 1992), American college basketball player for the University of Louisville
- David Blackshear (b. 1764), American General during the War of 1812 and politician serving in the Georgia State Legislature, eponym of Lake Blackshear, Blackshear Trail and the city of Blackshear, Georgia
- Jeffrey Leon "Jeff" Blackshear (b. 1969), American former NFL football guard who played from 1993 to 2002
- Colin Blackshear (b. 1979), American filmmaker and painter
- Tim Blackshear, American Republican politician, Nominated in primary for Texas State House of Representatives 70th District 2000, but withdrew before election 3
- Lieutenant-General Blackshear Morrison Bryan (1900-1977), American Commanding General 1st Army (1957-1960) 4
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Blackshear migration to the United States 
England
Ireland
