| ![Show Contents]() Blaceny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Today's generation of the Blaceny family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Blaceny family lived at Blakeney, in the county of Norfolk, or a place of the same name in Gloucester. Early Origins of the Blaceny familyThe surname Blaceny 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 Blaceny familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blaceny 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 Blaceny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Blaceny Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Blaceny include Blakeney, Blakeny, Blackney, Blakney, Blakny, Blaknie, Blakenie, Blaykney, Blayknie, Blaikney and many more. Early Notables of the Blaceny familyMore information is included under the topic Early Blaceny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Blaceny family to Ireland
Some of the Blaceny 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 Blaceny familyIn England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Blacenys to arrive on North American shores: 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
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