Show ContentsBlachwoit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Blachwoit was first used by the ancient Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The first Blachwoit to use this name no doubt lived in Ayrshire, but interestingly, the name Blachwoit may also be derived from the Old English words blaec, which means black, and wudu, which means wood, and indicates that the original bearer lived near a dark, wooded area.

Early Origins of the Blachwoit family

The surname Blachwoit 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 ancient times.

One of the first records of the family was of Robert Blakwode, a native of Scotland, who was discharged from prison in London as he was unjustly arrested in 1384. Later, Andrew Blackwud, was bailie of Perth in 1532 and Adam Blackwood was one of the Privy Council of Mary Queen of Scots. 1

Early History of the Blachwoit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blachwoit research. Another 196 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1500, 1539, 1549, 1581, 1613, 1614, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Blachwoit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blachwoit Spelling Variations

Scribes in Medieval Scotland spelled names by sound rather than any set of rules, so an enormous number of spelling variations exist in names of that era. Blachwoit has been spelled Blackwood, Blackwode, Blakewood, Blaikwood, Blackewood and many more.

Early Notables of the Blachwoit family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Adam Blackwood (1539-1613), Scottish writer having descended from a family in good circumstances, and was born at Dunfermline in 1539. "His father, William Blackwood, was slain in battle before the son reached his tenth year, and his mother did not long survive the loss of her...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Blachwoit Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Blachwoit family to Ireland

Some of the Blachwoit family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 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 Blachwoit family

The number of Strathclyde Clan families sailing for North America increased steadily as the persecution continued. In the colonies, they could find not only freedom from the iron hand of the English government, but land to settle on. The American War of Independence allowed many of these settlers to prove their independence, while some chose to go to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots played essential roles in the forging of both great nations. Among them: the Blackwoods who settled in Swain's Island, Newfoundland, and moved to the mainland to Bona Vista Bay in the early 19th century; Ebenezer Blackwood settled in Bona Vista in 1826.



The Blachwoit 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: Per vias rectas
Motto Translation: By right ways.


  1. 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)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook