Blem History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The name Blem is the product of a saga that began among the ancient Boernician tribes of Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Bleen, which means yellow. It was also the name of an early Celtic saint.

Early Origins of the Blem family

The surname Blem was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, 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.

Early History of the Blem family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blem research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1561, 1660, 1674 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Blem History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blem Spelling Variations

Spelling rules had not yet evolved in medieval Scotland, some names dating from that era often appear many different ways. Some spelling variations of Blem include Blain, Blane, Blaine, Blaines, Blahan and others.

Early Notables of the Blem family

More information is included under the topic Early Blem Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Blem family to Ireland

Some of the Blem family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Blem family

The Boernician-Scottish people who came to North America were often nearly penniless when they arrived, and brought very few personal effects with them. Much Scottish heritage was lost in the process, and it is only this century that highland games, Clan societies, and other patriotic Scottish organizations have helped the ancestors of Scots to rediscover their national legacy. Blems were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: James Blaine who settled in Pennsylvania in 1740; Eliza Blain who settled in New York in 1774; Peter Blain settled in Philadelphia in 1805; John Blain settled in New Orleans in 1820.

The Blem 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: Paritur pax bello
Motto Translation: Peace is obtained by war.