Show ContentsBlanerhassett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Blanerhassett family name comes from a place name that was first used among the Viking settlers who arrived in the shores of Scotland in the Middle Ages. The Blanerhassett name comes from someone having lived in Cumberland, on the Borderlands between Scotland and England. As the name is made up of the elements blen, which means hill and hey which means shelter, the name was often broken up. In other words, entries were sometimes for the entire name say, Blenarhassett and other times just Hassett.

Early Origins of the Blanerhassett family

The surname Blanerhassett was first found in Cumberland, where their early family seats were at Blenerhasset and Flimby Hall. One of the earliest records of the name appeared on a census taken in that county during the reign of King Richard II (1367-c.1400) where Thomas Blennerhasset was found in Carlisle. Of interest is a note in the Feet of Fines that Thomas Bleverhasset was appointed rector of Hardingham, county Norfolk at the age of 11, by the Pope's dispensation. [1]

Early History of the Blanerhassett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blanerhassett research. Another 37 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1550, 1625, 1598, 1550, 1610, 1741, 1821, 1809, 1652, 1712, 1692, 1695, 1703, 1687, 1758 and 1727 are included under the topic Early Blanerhassett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blanerhassett Spelling Variations

Translation and spelling were non-standardized practices in the Middle Ages, so scribes had only their ears to rely on. This was a practice of extremely limited efficiency, and spelling variations in names, even within a single document, were the result. Over the years, Blanerhassett has appeared Blennerhasset, Blennerhassett, Blenerhasset, Blenner, Hassett, Hassetts and many more.

Early Notables of the Blanerhassett family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family at this time was Thomas Blenerhasset (1550?-1625?), an English poet and writer on Ireland, a younger son of William Blenerhasset of Horsford Park, near Norwich, who died in 1598. "He was probably born about 1550, and was, according to his own account, educated at Cambridge without taking a degree. He subsequently entered the army, and was stationed for some years as captain at Guernsey Castle. At the beginning of...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Blanerhassett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Blanerhassett family to Ireland

Some of the Blanerhassett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 108 words (8 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 Blanerhassett family

The fertile east coast of what would become US and Canada was soon dotted with the farms of Scottish settlers. Some of them remained faithful to the crown and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others had the chance to pay back their old oppressors in the American War of Independence. That brave spirit lives on today in the highland games that dot North America in the summer. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Blanerhassett family came to North America quite early: William Blennerhassett who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1846; Joseph Blenner arrived in Philadelphia in 1879; Wendolin Blenner arrived in Philadelphia in 1861.



The Blanerhassett 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: Fortes fortuna juvat
Motto Translation: Fortune favours the Bold.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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