| ![Show Contents]() Blaceney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Blaceney family, who lived at Blakeney, in the county of Norfolk, or a place of the same name in Gloucester. Early Origins of the Blaceney familyThe surname Blaceney was first found in Norfolk at Blakeney, a small sea-port, post-town, and parish, in the union of Walsingham, hundred of Holt. "This place was called Snitterley in the time of Henry III., who granted it a market: it assumed its present name in the reign of Edward III." 1 Blakeney consisted of seven villages whose tenant-in-chief was Earl Hugh of Chester. Some of these villages were submerged by the sea by the Middle Ages. Conjecturally, the Blakeneys are descended from the first early Norman noble who held his lands from Earl Hugh. One reference states "Blakeney is a parish in Norfolk, in which county the family had great possessions. " 2 The first record of the family was found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where Adam de Blakeneye from London was listed. Later and further to the north, Johannes Blaunkeney was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 3 Nicholas de Blakney was listed in Norfolk in 1392 and later Elizabeth Blakney was listed there in 1515. 4 Early History of the Blaceney familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blaceney research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1438, 1575, 1672, 1679, 1690, 1702, 1709, 1721, 1729, 1733, 1756, 1761 and 1976 are included under the topic Early Blaceney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Blaceney Spelling VariationsBefore 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 Blaceney were recorded, including Blakeney, Blakeny, Blackney, Blakney, Blakny, Blaknie, Blakenie, Blaykney, Blayknie, Blaikney and many more. Early Notables of the Blaceney familyMore information is included under the topic Early Blaceney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Blaceney family to Ireland
Some of the Blaceney family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 194 words (14 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 Blaceney familyThe 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 Blaceney arrived in North America very early: John Blackney who settled in Maryland in 1776; William Blakeney landed in North America in 1772.
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: Auxilium meum ab alto
Motto Translation: My help is from above.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. 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)
- Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
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England
Ireland
