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The ancient Scottish name Belair was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The original bearer of the name lived in the village of Blair, in the county of Ayrshire.
"The Blairs 'of that ilk' in Ayrshire, have been seated in that co. for more than 600 years. They claim the chief-ship of all the Blairs in the South and West of Scotland, though that honour is challenged by the Blairs of Balthayock, co. Perth, who date back to the beginning of the XIII. " 1
The surname Belair was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire.
William of Blare witnessed a charter by Malcolm, 7th Earl of Fife. He is probably the same man as Sir William de Blar, who was Seneschal of Fife in 1235. His son, Sir Bryce Blair, was known as "the gallant knight." He fought with Sir William Wallace but was eventually taken prisoner, and executed at Ayr. 2
John Blair (fl. 1300), was chaplain of Sir William Wallace, a native of Fife, and is said to have been educated at Dundee in the same school with Wallace. 3 He wrote an account of the travels and adventures, which is said to be the source for the famed verse written in the late 1400s, Schir William Wallace by Blind Harry.
Further to the south in England, "the Blairs, of Northumberland, are probably derived from the Blairs of Ayrshire." 4
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Belair research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1593, 1634, 1646, 1650, 1656, 1666, 1679, 1699, 1743, 1746 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Belair History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Belair has been spelled Blair, Blayr, Blare, Blaire and others.
Notable amongst the family at this time was Robert Blair (1593-1666) a Scottish Nonconformist divine, excommunicated in 1634, but later became Moderator of the General Assembly in 1646. "His father was a merchant-adventurer, John Blair of Windyedge, a younger brother of the ancient family of Blair of that ilk; his mother was Beatrix Muir (of the house of Rowallan), who lived for nearly a century." 3
Robert Blair (1699-1746), was a Scottish poet, best known for...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Belair Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the United States, the name Belair is the 13,353rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5 However, in Quebec, Canada, the name Belair is ranked the 466th most popular surname. 6 And in France, the name Belair is the 7,573rd popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 7
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: Alexander Blair who settled in New England in 1718; James Blair settled in Virginia in 1775; John Blair settled in New Hampshire in 1718; Bryce Blair settled in Charles Town in 1773.