Show ContentsBlizard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Blizard 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 Blizard family

The surname Blizard 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 Blizard family

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

Blizard Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Blizard are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Blizard include: Blessed, Blisset, Blissit, Blizard, Blizzard, Blissett and many more.

Early Notables of the Blizard family

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


United States Blizard migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Blizard or a variant listed above:

Blizard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Blizard, who settled in Virginia in 1767
  • Joseph Blizard, who settled in America in 1767

Canada Blizard migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Blizard Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • J. C. Blizard, who settled in Ontario in 1861

Contemporary Notables of the name Blizard (post 1700) +

  • Margaret M. Blizard, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1964 3
  • Thomas Blizard (1772-1838), English surgeon, a pupil of his uncle, Sir William Blizard 4
  • Sir William Blizard (1743-1835), English surgeon, born at Barn Elms in Surrey in 1743, fourth child of William Blizard, an auctioneer 4


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 5 Feb. 2019


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