Bless History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe history of the Bless family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Leicestershire and Worcestershire. The family name, however, is not a reference to either of those locations, but to the area of the family's residence prior to the Norman Conquest, Blois, in the Loir-et-Cher region of France. 1 Another source claims that the "name seems to be connected with the Anglo-Saxon verb blissian, laetificare, to make glad or joyous." 2 Early Origins of the Bless familyThe surname Bless was first found in Leicestershire and Worcestershire. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two early entries for the family: John Blisse, Buckinghamshire; and John Blisse, Kent. 3 Early History of the Bless familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bless research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1119, 1525, 1530, 1647, 1698, 1702, 1704, 1708 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Bless History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bless Spelling VariationsAnglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Bliss, Bleys, Blois, Bloys, Bloiss and others. Early Notables of the Bless familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was John Bylsse (d. 1530), early English physician, born in the diocese of Bath and Wells. "He came to London, and practised in 1525, becoming a member of the College of Physicians. Being an astronomer as well as a physician, he left certain...
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Bless or a variant listed above were: Bless Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Bless Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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: Virtus sola felicitas Motto Translation: Virtue is the only happiness
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