Blissett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Blissett is derived from the Middle English word "iblescede", which roughly means "to make sacred," in the sense "happy, fortunate." From 1300 onwards the word occurs as blisced, blissed, a form surviving, no doubt in Blissett, which may also derive from a woman’s name: Blissot atte Pole which appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset in 1327. 1

Early Origins of the Blissett family

The surname Blissett was first found in Oxfordshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Hugh de Blesset as hold lands there at that time. The same source lists the forename Bissot. 2

Later in Cornwall, we found Alicia Iblessed in 1297 and in Staffordshire, we found John de Blessed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327. 1

Early History of the Blissett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blissett research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1752 is included under the topic Early Blissett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blissett Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Blissett have been found, including Blessed, Blisset, Blissit, Blizard, Blizzard, Blissett and many more.

Early Notables of the Blissett family

More information is included under the topic Early Blissett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blissett migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Blissett, or a variant listed above:

Blissett Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Blissett, aged 45, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Excelsior" in 1853 3
Mr. Robert Blissett, aged 30, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Colorado" in 1868 3
Miss Emily Blissett, aged 3, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Colorado" in 1868 3
Annie Blissett, aged 29, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Colorado" in 1868 3
Fred Blissett, aged 25, who arrived in Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Wyoming" in 1873 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blissett migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Blissett Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Mrs. Blissett, who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Ophir" in 1903 4
Mr. J. Blissett, who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Ophir" in 1903 4
Mr. V. Blissett, who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Benalla" in 1922 4
Mr. W. Blissett, who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Orvieto" in 1923 4
Mr. Anthony Thomas Arthur Blissett, who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Highland Princess" in 1946 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Blissett (post 1700) +

Eddie Blissett (b. 1992), American actor from Provo, Utah, known for Big Apple (2001), Two for One (2001) and Traces of Insanity (1998)
Ben Blissett, American actor, known for The Big Rissue (2022), TLDR Daily and TLDR News US (2019)
Olivia Blissett, American musician, known for The Boy (2016), The Forest and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013)
Bec Blissett, American film hairdresser, known for Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) and Heartbreak High (2022)
Jackie Blissett, English Professor of Childhood Eating Behaviour, Aston University, England
Arthur Harry Blissett (1878-1955), English Lance Corporal, Royal Marine who joined Captain Robert Falcon Scott on the Discovery expedition of 1901–1904
Nathan Blissett (b. 1990), English professional footballer who plays as a forward (2011-)
Luther Loide Blissett (b. 1958), English (Jamaican born) footballer and coach whose name was borrowed by hundreds of artists and social activists all over Europe and South America since 1994
Gary Blissett (b. 1964), English former professional footballer who played as a forward (1983-2001)
André Blissett, Canadian actor from Toronto, known for Learn to Swim (2021), Eye of the Veil (2022) and Goldie Locs (2021)
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 9th February 2023. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
National Archives of Australia Retrieved 9th February 2023. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx