Blackmore History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


The ancestors of the name Blackmore date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Blackmore family lived in the area of Blackmore. Early members lived near one of two places named Blakmore, a parish in the diocese of Winchester, and a parish in the diocese of St. Albans. The place-name is derived from the Old English words blaec, meaning black, and mor, meaning marsh, and would have been used to name a settlement near a dark marsh. Another source notes the name could have meant ‘dweller by the dark mere’ from the Old English 'blæc' + 'mere', from the Old English 'blæc,' and the Middle English 'Mor' ‘a Moor’.1

Early Origins of the Blackmore family

The surname Blackmore was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Blachemer was recorded in Shropshire (Salop.) 2 Years later, William de Blakemere was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275 and later, Kateryna de Blakemere was registered in Herefordshire in 1296. 1

Baldwin de Blakomor was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Devon in 1200, as was Nicholas de Blakemore in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1307. 1

Early Norfolk records show William Blakhommore, Norwich, 1398; and William de Blachomor, Norwich, 4 Richard II (during the fourth year of the reign of Richard II.) 3

In Somerset, Margery de Blakemor was recorded there 1 Edward III (in the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Richard de Blakemore, Oxfordshire; and (Prior) de Blakemore, Essex. 5

"The Blackmores are now numerous in Honiton and its neighbourhood, There is (or was) an epitaph in the Middle Temple church to Mark Blackmore, son of Mark Blackmore, of Harpford, in the county of Devon, gent. (Dugdale's "Orig. Jur. "), which cannot bear a later date than the early part of the 17th century. A family of the name lived in Exmouth last century: in 1746 Mr. Blackmore "leaded ye tower;" and in 1771 and 1811 William and John Blackmore were clerks of Exmouth Chapel (Webb) Blackmore and Blackmoor are places in Essex, Wilts, and other counties. Blakemore is now a Shropshire surname. Blakema and De Blakemor were surnames in Bucks, Oxon, and Essex six centuries ago." 6

Early History of the Blackmore family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blackmore research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1654, 1684, 1720 and 1729 are included under the topic Early Blackmore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blackmore 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 Blackmore 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. The variations of the name Blackmore include: Blakemore, Blackmore, Blackamore, Blackmere and others.

Early Notables of the Blackmore family

Notables of the family at this time include

Blackmore World Ranking

In the United States, the name Blackmore is the 7,627th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 7 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Blackmore is ranked the 275th most popular surname with an estimated 162 people with that name. 8 And in New Zealand, the name Blackmore is the 946th popular surname with an estimated 789 people with that name. 9


Blackmore 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 Blackmore or a variant listed above:

Blackmore Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Blackmore Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Blackmore Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Blackmore Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Blackmore migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Blackmore Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Blackmore Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Blackmore migration to Australia +

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

Blackmore Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Blackmore migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Blackmore Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Blackmore (post 1700) +


The Blackmore Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pro Deo
Motto Translation: For God.
Fastest Delivery Possible

Digital Products on Checkout, all other products filled in 1 business day

Money Back Guarantee

Yes, all products 100% Guraranteed

BBB A+ Rating

The Best Rating possible

Secure Online Payment

Entire site uses SSL / Secure Certificate