Show ContentsBlacheney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Blacheney is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Blacheney family lived at Blakeney, in the county of Norfolk, or a place of the same name in Gloucester.

Early Origins of the Blacheney family

The surname Blacheney was first found in Norfolk at Blakeney, a small sea-port, post-town, and parish, in the union of Walsingham, hundred of Holt. "This place was called Snitterley in the time of Henry III., who granted it a market: it assumed its present name in the reign of Edward III." 1

Blakeney consisted of seven villages whose tenant-in-chief was Earl Hugh of Chester. Some of these villages were submerged by the sea by the Middle Ages. Conjecturally, the Blakeneys are descended from the first early Norman noble who held his lands from Earl Hugh. One reference states "Blakeney is a parish in Norfolk, in which county the family had great possessions. " 2

The first record of the family was found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where Adam de Blakeneye from London was listed. Later and further to the north, Johannes Blaunkeney was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 3

Nicholas de Blakney was listed in Norfolk in 1392 and later Elizabeth Blakney was listed there in 1515. 4

Early History of the Blacheney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blacheney research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1438, 1575, 1672, 1679, 1690, 1702, 1709, 1721, 1729, 1733, 1756, 1761 and 1976 are included under the topic Early Blacheney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blacheney Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Blacheney has been recorded under many different variations, including Blakeney, Blakeny, Blackney, Blakney, Blakny, Blaknie, Blakenie, Blaykney, Blayknie, Blaikney and many more.

Early Notables of the Blacheney family

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

Ireland Migration of the Blacheney family to Ireland

Some of the Blacheney family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 194 words (14 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 Blacheney family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Blacheneys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: John Blackney who settled in Maryland in 1776; William Blakeney landed in North America in 1772.



The Blacheney 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: Auxilium meum ab alto
Motto Translation: My help is from above.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  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)
  4. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print


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