Blundevile History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Blundevile was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Blundevile family lived in Norfolk, where the family has a rich history dating back many years. Their name, however, derives from their previous locality of residence, Blundeville, near Pont l'Eveque, Normandy. 1

Early Origins of the Blundevile family

The surname Blundevile was first found in Cheshire at Beeston, a township, in the parish of Bunbury, union of Nantwich, First division of the hundred of Eddisbury. "This place takes its name from a castle founded by Ranulph de Blundeville, about 1220, and which was made a royal garrison in the war between Henry III. and the confederate barons." 2 He was the son and heir of Hugh 'de Kivelioc,' Earl (palatine) of Chester, whom he succeeded in 1180. "His surname, like his father's, was derived from his birthplace, 'Blundevill' being identified by Dugdale with Oswestry. " 3

Thomas de Blundeville or Blunville (d. 1236), was Bishop of Norwich. He "was the son of Robert de Blunville of Newton; Flotman, Norfolk, and younger brother of William de Blunville, constable of Corfe Castle during the reign of King John." 3

However, most sources believe the family was originally from Norfolk as by example, "History or Norfolk" had two early entries for the family using early spellings: John de Blomevile, 1249; and William de Blundevile, 1283 while the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only one entry: William de Blumvile, Norfolk 1273. 4

Another source notes: "Bloomfield, a village in Worcestershire, and probably other localities. Norfolk has long been the greatest habitat of the name. " 5

"Bailiffs of Ipswich in the reigns of Edward IV., Henry VII., and Charles II., bore the name of Blomfield. " 6

Early History of the Blundevile family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blundevile research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1203, 1524, 1525, 1574, 1576, 1638, 1642, 1653, 1768, 1825 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Blundevile History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blundevile Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Blundevile have been found, including Bloomefield, Blundeville, Blomfield, Blumfield, Blundville and many more.

Early Notables of the Blundevile family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Miles Blomefield (1525-1574?), alchemist, who recorded some particulars of his birth and parentage in a quaint note written by himself in a volume which is preserved in the library of St. John's College, Cambridge, and which contains a unique copy of 'the boke called the Informacyon for pylgrymes vnto the holy lande,' printed by Wynkyn de Worde in 1524: 'I...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Blundevile Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Blundevile family to Ireland

Some of the Blundevile family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 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 Blundevile family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Blundevile were among those contributors: James Bloomfield who settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1620; Sarah Bloomfield settled in New England in 1634; Noah Bloomfield settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1796.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.