Blacketter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Early Origins of the Blacketter family

The surname Blacketter was first found in Berwickshire, Scotland, where the family claim descent "from the lands of Blackadder on the stream of the same name in the Merse division of Berwickshire. "Blakadir de eodem in the Earldom of March in 1426. Adam of Blacathathir was one of those sent to conduct the envoys with Princess Cecilia's dower to Edinburgh in 1477, and Charles Blakater had a protection and safe conduct to travel in England in 1486. " 1

But before these entries, Adam Blacater (fl. 1319), "was descended from a family of good position in Scotland, and after studying at several universities on the continent became successively professor of philosophy at Cracow in Poland, professor of the same subject at Bologna, and rector of one of the colleges of the university of Paris. " 2

Cuthbert Blackadder (d. 1485), was "a chieftain of the Scottish border, received his surname and estate from James II in 1452 for his success in repelling the English marauders on the Scottish frontier. By his prowess he earned for himself the title of the 'chieftain of the south.' He and his seven sons who accompanied him on his expeditions were also named, from the darkness of their complexions, the 'Black band of the Blackaders.' When the kingdom was placed in a posture of defence against Edward IV, the Blackaders raised a force of two hundred and seventeen men, and also planted their castle with artillery, and left in it a strong garrison. " 2

Early History of the Blacketter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blacketter research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1461, 1477, 1494, 1508, 1615, 1622, 1626, 1664, 1670, 1685, 1686 and 1729 are included under the topic Early Blacketter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blacketter Spelling Variations

Although the name, Blacketter, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Blackadder, Blackader, Blackater, Blacketter, Blaicketter, Blacader and many more.

Early Notables of the Blacketter family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Robert Blackadder (died 1508) a medieval Scottish cleric, diplomat and politician, who was Abbot of Melrose, Bishop-elect of Aberdeen and Bishop of Glasgow; Sir Alexander Blackadder; John Blackadder (1615-1686), Scottish Covenanting minister; John Blackadder (or Blackader) (ca. 1622-1685), a Scottish eminent Presbyterian Covenanter preacher; Sir...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Blacketter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blacketter migration to the United States +

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Blacketter family name Blacketter, or who bore a variation of the surname were

Blacketter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Peter Blacketter, who arrived in Virginia in 1715 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Blacketter (post 1700) +

Ryan Blacketter, American author, member of the Iowa Writers' Workshop

The Blacketter 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: Vise a la fine
Motto Translation: Look to the end.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)