Blair History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 
  England 


Blair was first used as a surname in the Scottish/English Borderlands by the Strathclyde-Briton. The first Blair family 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

Early Origins of the Blair family

The surname Blair 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.

Some of the earliest recorded instances of this Clan name include Stephen de Blare, who was a recorded witness of a document about the monastery of Arbroath between 1204 and 1211, and of Brice de Blair and Alexander del Blair, who witnessed an agreement between the burgh of Irvine and Brice de Eglustone in 1205. Alexander de Blare witnessed a charter by Fergus, earl of Buchan before 1214, and also a charter by Randulf de Strethphetham. William of Blare who witnessed a charter by Malcolm, seventh earl of Fife, is probably Sir William de Blar, seneschal of Fife, 1235. David de Blare of Perthshire rendered homage in 1296 to King Edward I of England. 2

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

Early History of the Blair family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blair 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 Blair History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blair Spelling Variations

Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Blair has been spelled Blair, Blayr, Blare, Blaire and others.

Early Notables of the Blair family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Blair World Ranking

In the United States, the name Blair is the 369th most popular surname with an estimated 74,610 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Blair is ranked the 514th most popular surname with an estimated 9,472 people with that name. 6 And in Australia, the name Blair is the 518th popular surname with an estimated 7,407 people with that name. 7 New Zealand ranks Blair as 240th with 2,470 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Blair as 495th with 12,993 people. 9

Migration of the Blair family to Ireland

Some of the Blair family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
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.


Blair migration to the United States +

Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. Among them:

Blair Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Blair Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Blair migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Blair migration to Australia +

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

Blair Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Blair 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:

Blair Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Blair (post 1700) +


The Blair 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: Amo probos
Motto Translation: I love the virtuous


Suggested Readings for the name Blair +
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