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The ancient name Bluntach is a Norman name that would have been developed in England after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. This name was a name given to a person with blond hair having derived from the Anglo-Norman French word blunt, which means blond. 1
The surname Bluntach was first found in Suffolk where the Blounts or Blunts, as they are more modernly called, trace their heritage to the Normans, specifically to Rudolph, Count of Guisnes, who nobly assisted Duke William of Normandy to conquer the Saxons at Hastings, in 1066. Sir Robert de Blount (c.1029-1066) had command of the Conqueror's ships during the invasion and was amply rewarded. Sir William, his brother, commanded his foot soldiers at Hastings. 2
These two great nobles received lands in Suffolk, Sir Robert became Baron of Ixworth, Lord of Orford Castle, and Sir William got seven lordships at Saxlingham in the county of Sussex. Each of these branches flourished and there is a record of each succeeding Baron in each estate. Both are recorded in the Domesday Book with their various properties. 3
John de Blund or Blunt (c. 1175-1248), Chancellor of York, was one of the leaders of the movement for the restoration of the university of Oxford to its ancient position as a seat of learning. He was Archbishop of Canterbury-elect in 1232. 4
Back in England, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included listings of: Melodia le Blount, Huntingdonshire; Margareta le Blound, Cambridgeshire; Richard le Blont, Wiltshire; Alan le Blund, Oxfordshire; and Richard le Blunt, Wiltshire. 6
Ascelina le Blund, or Blunt was listed in Norfolk in 1272 7 and John le Blont, was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 8 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Johannes Blont; and Ricardus Blont. 6
Later, Robert de Houton was rector of the church of St. Elphin, Warrington, Lancashire and was confirmed the 3rd of April 1330. 9
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bluntach research. Another 197 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1403, 1493, 1502, 1529, 1540, 1563, 1565, 1580, 1594, 1597, 1600, 1601, 1604, 1606, 1617, 1618, 1624, 1632, 1640, 1649, 1654, 1666, 1670, 1679, 1693, 1697 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Bluntach History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bluntach were recorded, including Blount, Blunt, Blond, Blonde, Blund and others.
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Thomas Blount (d. 1400), supporter of Richard II; Sir Walter Blount (died 1403), soldier and supporter of John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster), served as the royal standard bearer, mistaken for the king and killed in combat, appears as a character in Shakespeare's play Henry IV, part 1; Sir James Blount (d. 1493), English commander of the fortress of Hammes; Elizabeth Blount (1502-1540), mistress of Henry VIII; Mountjoy Blount, 1st Earl of Newport (c. 1597-1666), created Baron Mountjoy in the Irish peerage (1617); Charles Blount (1563-1606), English Earl of Devonshire; Charles Blount...
Another 162 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bluntach Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Bluntach arrived in North America very early: John Blunt, who came to Virginia in 1652; Charles, Christopher, and Joanne Blunt, who came to Jamaica in 1663; John Blount who settled in North Carolina in 1675.