Show ContentsBlakhill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Blakhill comes from the family having resided in the village of Blackall in Devon, or one of numerous other minor locations of the same name. The place-name is derived from black hall, which indicated a manor, which was dark in color or in a dark area.

Early Origins of the Blakhill family

The surname Blakhill was first found in Devon, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Blackhall can be found "in the regality of Garioch, Aberdeenshire. William de Blackhall who appears on a jury of inquest retouring William de Tullidaff of Lentush and Rothmaise heir of his father in 1398 is apparently the first of the name recorded. " 1

Early History of the Blakhill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blakhill research. Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1420, 1499, 1547, 1655, 1667, 1690, 1694, 1708, 1716, 1760, 1763, 1770 and 1792 are included under the topic Early Blakhill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blakhill Spelling Variations

Blakhill has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Blackhall, Blackall, Blakhall, Blaikhall and many more.

Early Notables of the Blakhill family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Offspring Blackall (bap. 1655-1716), Bishop of Exeter (1708-1716.) He "did not come into public notice until he was a middle-aged man, and of his early years little is known. He was born in London, and in due time became a member of St. Catharine's Hall, Cambridge, where, it may be presumed, he lived a strictly religious life, for he is mentioned as one of the intimate college friends of the saintly James Bonnell,who chose none but the godly for his companions. In 1690...
Another 91 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Blakhill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Blakhill family to Ireland

Some of the Blakhill family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 40 words (3 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 Blakhill family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Blakhills to arrive on North American shores: Agnes Blackhall, aged 26; who settled in New York in 1774.



  1. 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)


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