Blennarhasset History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The story of the Blennarhasset family stretches back through time to the Viking settlers who populated the rugged shores of Scotland in the Medieval era. The Blennarhasset name comes from a place named by these Vikings and was used by a family who lived in Cumberland, on the Borderlands between Scotland and England. As the name is made up of the elements blen, which means hill and hey which means shelter, the name was often broken up. In other words, entries were sometimes for the entire name say, Blenarhassett and other times just Hassett.

Early Origins of the Blennarhasset family

The surname Blennarhasset was first found in Cumberland, where their early family seats were at Blenerhasset and Flimby Hall. One of the earliest records of the name appeared on a census taken in that county during the reign of King Richard II (1367-c.1400) where Thomas Blennerhasset was found in Carlisle. Of interest is a note in the Feet of Fines that Thomas Bleverhasset was appointed rector of Hardingham, county Norfolk at the age of 11, by the Pope's dispensation. 1

Early History of the Blennarhasset family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blennarhasset research. Another 37 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1550, 1598, 1610, 1625, 1652, 1687, 1692, 1695, 1703, 1712, 1727, 1741, 1758, 1809 and 1821 are included under the topic Early Blennarhasset History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blennarhasset Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, no real standards were established to judge the accuracy of spelling and translation. They were done mostly by ear and intuition, and enormous numbers of spelling variations were the unsurprising result. Blennarhasset has appeared as Blennerhasset, Blennerhassett, Blenerhasset, Blenner, Hassett, Hassetts and many more.

Early Notables of the Blennarhasset family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Thomas Blenerhasset (1550?-1625?), an English poet and writer on Ireland, a younger son of William Blenerhasset of Horsford Park, near Norwich, who died in 1598. "He was probably born about 1550, and was, according to his own account, educated at Cambridge without taking a degree. He subsequently entered the army, and was stationed for some years as captain at Guernsey Castle. At the beginning of...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Blennarhasset Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Blennarhasset family to Ireland

Some of the Blennarhasset family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 108 words (8 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 Blennarhasset family

North America was far from Britain's oppressive monarchy. There, the Scottish found land and freedom, and many even the opportunity to pay back England in the American War of Independence. This brave heritage survives today largely in Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Blennarhasset family in North America: William Blennerhassett who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1846; Joseph Blenner arrived in Philadelphia in 1879; Wendolin Blenner arrived in Philadelphia in 1861.

The Blennarhasset 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: Fortes fortuna juvat
Motto Translation: Fortune favours the Bold.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)