Blenkins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The surname Blenkins is a habitational name from the village of Blenkinsop in Northumberland, about one mile from Greenhead. The ancient manor of Blenkinsop was held by the Blenkinsop family from the 13th century when they created a substantial tower house. A licence to build the manor was granted on May 6, 1340. A survey of 1541 reported the roof to be in decay and the tower not to be in good repair. Despite the poor repair, the family lived there for another two centuries but by 1832, the property was in disuse. About 1877 William Blenkinsop Coulson did a major restoration project which created a large mansion house but then sold the premises a few years later. A major fire in 1954 resulted in demolition of much of the estate. Today the home is still used but only portions thereof.

Early Origins of the Blenkins family

The surname Blenkins was first found in Northumberland, at Blenkinsopp, a township, in the parish and union of Haltwhistle, W. division of Tindale ward. "This has long been the property of the Blenkinsopp family. In 1399 'Thomas de Blencansopp' had a license to fortify his mansion: it occurs in the list of border castles about 1416." 1 "The castle there was the seat of the family, a race well remembered for their border feuds in olden times and designated as 'a right ancient and generous family.' " 2

It is generally understood that the family "trace their descent from Richard Blenkinsoppe, grandson of a certain Ranulfus who held the manor of Blenkinsopp in 1240." 3 Other early records of the family include: Antony Blencansop and Ranulf de Blenkenshope who were listed about the same time c. 1240. 4

Spelling variations of the name were very numerous. Nearby Yorkshire lists Symon de Blanchainesop, de Blancaneshop, de Blenkensope about the same time. 5

Early History of the Blenkins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blenkins research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Blenkins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blenkins Spelling Variations

The name Blenkins, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Blenkinsopp, Blenkinsop, Blinkinsopp, Blinkinsop, Blankensop, Blankensopp, Blinkinsops, Blenkinship, Blenkinshipp, Blenkenship, Blenkenshipp, Blenkinshop, Blenkinshopp and many more.

Early Notables of the Blenkins family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

John Blenkinsopp of Sheriff Hutton
George Thomas Leaton Blenkinsopp

Migration of the Blenkins family

The New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Blenkins family, or who bore a variation of the surname Blenkins were James Blinkinsops who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1848.

The Blenkins 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: Dieu defende le droit
Motto Translation: God defends the right.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)