Show ContentsBludd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Bludd is a Welsh name of old Celtic origin. The surname is from the well-known Welsh personal name Lloyd. The surname Bludd features the distinctive Welsh patronymic prefix "ab-" which means "son of." The original form of the name was "Ab-Lloyd," which evolved into "Ap-Llud" and then "Blud." 1

Early Origins of the Bludd family

The surname Bludd was first found in Cardiganshire (Welsh: Sir Aberteifi), the former Kingdom of Ceredigion, created as a county in 1282 by Edward I, and located on the West coast of Wales, where they held a family seat from ancient times. They are descended from the Lloyds of Cardigan,_Ceredigion' target='_blank'>Cardigan Castle.

Early History of the Bludd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bludd research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1595, 1600, 1613, 1618, 1660, 1661, 1671, 1672, 1680, 1688 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Bludd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bludd Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Bludd name over the years has been spelled Blood, Bloode, Blud, Bludd and others.

Early Notables of the Bludd family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Colonel Thomas Blood (1618-1680), a "noted bravo and desperado", an Irish-born colonel best known for attempting to steal the Crown Jewels of England from the Tower of London in 1671. He died on Tuesday, 24 Aug. 1680. He was buried on the 26th, at Tothill Fields. Rumours being afloat that it had been a sham funeral, to keep the living man hidden elsewhere, his body was exhumed on the following Thursday, and identified at...
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bludd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bludd family to Ireland

Some of the Bludd family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 143 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Bludd migration to the United States +

Many Welsh joined the great migrations to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like their Scottish and Irish neighbors, many Welsh families left their homeland hoping to find hope and prosperity in a land that the English did not exercise a tight rule over. Those Welsh immigrants that successfully traveled to North America went on to make significant contributions to the rapid development of both Canada and the United States in terms of the settling of land and the establishment of industry. They also added to the rich cultural heritage of both countries. An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Bludd:

Bludd Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Richard Bludd, who arrived in America in 1800


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


Houseofnames.com on Facebook