Show ContentsBlackmore History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Blackmore date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Blackmore family lived in the area of Blackmore. Early members lived near one of two places named Blakmore, a parish in the diocese of Winchester, and a parish in the diocese of St. Albans. The place-name is derived from the Old English words blaec, meaning black, and mor, meaning marsh, and would have been used to name a settlement near a dark marsh. Another source notes the name could have meant ‘dweller by the dark mere’ from the Old English 'blæc' + 'mere', from the Old English 'blæc,' and the Middle English 'Mor' ‘a Moor’.[1]

Early Origins of the Blackmore family

The surname Blackmore was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Blachemer was recorded in Shropshire (Salop.) [2] Years later, William de Blakemere was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275 and later, Kateryna de Blakemere was registered in Herefordshire in 1296. [1]

Baldwin de Blakomor was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Devon in 1200, as was Nicholas de Blakemore in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1307. [1]

Early Norfolk records show William Blakhommore, Norwich, 1398; and William de Blachomor, Norwich, 4 Richard II (during the fourth year of the reign of Richard II.) [3]

In Somerset, Margery de Blakemor was recorded there 1 Edward III (in the first year of King Edward III's reign.) [4]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Richard de Blakemore, Oxfordshire; and (Prior) de Blakemore, Essex. [5]

"The Blackmores are now numerous in Honiton and its neighbourhood, There is (or was) an epitaph in the Middle Temple church to Mark Blackmore, son of Mark Blackmore, of Harpford, in the county of Devon, gent. (Dugdale's "Orig. Jur. "), which cannot bear a later date than the early part of the 17th century. A family of the name lived in Exmouth last century: in 1746 Mr. Blackmore "leaded ye tower;" and in 1771 and 1811 William and John Blackmore were clerks of Exmouth Chapel (Webb) Blackmore and Blackmoor are places in Essex, Wilts, and other counties. Blakemore is now a Shropshire surname. Blakema and De Blakemor were surnames in Bucks, Oxon, and Essex six centuries ago." [6]

Early History of the Blackmore family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blackmore research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1654, 1684, 1720 and 1729 are included under the topic Early Blackmore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blackmore Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Blackmore are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Blackmore include: Blakemore, Blackmore, Blackamore, Blackmere and others.

Early Notables of the Blackmore family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Sir Richard Blackmore (1654-1729), English poet and physician from Corsham, Wiltshire
  • Sir John Blackmore, English peer who was in the confidence of Oliver Cromwell, and became Governor of St. Helena after the Restoration
  • William Blackmore (died 1684) an English ejected minister from Essex

Blackmore World Ranking

In the United States, the name Blackmore is the 7,627th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [7] However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Blackmore is ranked the 275th most popular surname with an estimated 162 people with that name. [8] And in New Zealand, the name Blackmore is the 946th popular surname with an estimated 789 people with that name. [9]


United States Blackmore migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Blackmore or a variant listed above:

Blackmore Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Charles Blackmore, who landed in Virginia in 1658 [10]
  • Thomas Blackmore, who landed in Maryland in 1671 [10]
  • William Blackmore, who arrived in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1676 [10]
Blackmore Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Joane Blackmore, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [10]
  • David Blackmore, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1764
  • John and George Blackmore, who settled in Boston in 1774
Blackmore Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • A Blackmore, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 [10]
  • George Blackmore, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1876 [10]
  • James Blackmore, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1876 [10]
  • Mr. William Blackmore, (b. 1867), aged 22, Cornish stonemason departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving in New York, USA on 22 April 1889 [11]
Blackmore Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Blackmore, (b. 1863), aged 42, Cornish stone cutter, from Penryn, Cornwall, UK, travelling aboard the ship "Saint Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th June 1905 en route to Barre, Vermont, USA [12]

Canada Blackmore migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Blackmore Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Joseph Blackmore U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 185 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York [13]
Blackmore Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Australia Blackmore migration to Australia +

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

Blackmore Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Blackmore, British convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 [15]
  • James Blackmore, a plasterer, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • William Blackmore, English convict from Devon, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 29, 1828, settling in New South Wales, Australia [16]
  • Miss Mary Blackmore who was convicted in Somerset, England for 14 years for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the "Edward" on 23rd April 1834, arriving in Tasmania, (Van Diemen's Land) [17]
  • Mr. William Blackmore, (b. 1819), aged 17, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [18]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Blackmore 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:

Blackmore Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Esq. Edward Blackmore, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Richard Dart" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th April 1848 [19]
  • Mrs. Amelia C. Blackmore, (b. 1832), aged 30, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 [20]
  • Mr. Abraham Blackmore, (b. 1834), aged 28, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 [20]
  • Mr. William H. Blackmore, (b. 1855), aged 7, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 [20]
  • Elizabeth Blackmore, aged 22, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Accrington" in 1863 [20]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Blackmore (post 1700) +

  • Brigadier-General Philip Guillou Blackmore (1890-1974), American Commanding Officer, White Sands Proving Ground (1947-1950) [21]
  • James Blackmore (1821-1875), American politician, Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • R. W. Blackmore, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from North Carolina, 1908 [22]
  • Michael M. Blackmore, American politician, Postmaster at Grave Creek, Virginia, 1852-53; Moundsville, Virginia, 1853 [22]
  • Marvin P. Blackmore (1894-1974), American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Columbia, Missouri, 1947-49 [22]
  • James Blackmore (1814-1875), American politician, Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1868-69, 1872-75 [22]
  • Dwight A. Blackmore, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Ohio 13th District, 1950 [22]
  • Clifford Blackmore, American Republican politician, Chair of Morton County Republican Party, 2011 [22]
  • Joseph Henry "Jake" Blackmore (b. 1964), English international rugby forward
  • Peter Blackmore (b. 1879), English footballer
  • ... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. C Blackmore, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking [23]


The Blackmore 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: Pro Deo
Motto Translation: For God.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. 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)
  11. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  12. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  13. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  14. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 24) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1828 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1828
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th January 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/edward
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 6) Philip Blackmore. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Blackmore/Philip_Guillou/USA.html
  22. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  23. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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