Show ContentsBlakewude History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Blakewude was first used by the ancient Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The first Blakewude family lived in Ayrshire, but interestingly, the name Blakewude 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 Blakewude family

The surname Blakewude 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 Blakewude family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blakewude 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 Blakewude History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blakewude Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Blakewude has appeared as Blackwood, Blackwode, Blakewood, Blaikwood, Blackewood and many more.

Early Notables of the Blakewude 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 Blakewude Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Blakewude family to Ireland

Some of the Blakewude 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 Blakewude family

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. 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 Blakewude 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)


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