Show ContentsBlays History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Blays family

The surname Blays was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Norman influence of English history strongly penetrated English society after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed.

The family name was first referenced in the 11th century in Yorkshire when they held estates in that shire. Robert Blaise succeeded in 1272. They are believed to be originally from Blay, 3 miles north east of Le Molay in Calvados.

The name may have been associated with a 4th century (316) French saint Blasius of Armenie (Armienes,) and later introduced into and adopted by Yorkshire people as their saint of wool-combers from a Norman noble.

"David Blaize" is a novel of school life by English author Edward Frederic Benson OBE. Published in 1916, it was quickly followed up by a second, entitled "David Blaize and the Blue Door" in 1918. The final novel of the trilogy was "David of King's" in 1924, but as to why the author chose the surname "Blaise" for the character for these novels remains a mystery.

Early History of the Blays family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blays research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1642, 1784, 1799, 1813 and 1820 are included under the topic Early Blays History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blays Spelling Variations

Before 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 Blays include Blaise, Blaize, Blaze, Blasey, Blease, Bleas, Blase, Blays, Blayze, Blazey, Blazer and many more.

Early Notables of the Blays family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was François Henri Joseph Blaze, e, one of the most prolific writers on music and the drama France has produced, was born at Cavaillon in 1784. His father, a lawyer by profession, was a good musician, friend of Grétry and Méhul, and composer of masses, operas, and chamber music. Blaze was sent to Paris in 1799 to study the law, but the love of music soon began to show itself. He became a pupil at the Conservatoire, and took private lessons in harmony. In the meantime his professional career promised to be a prosperous...
Another 175 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Blays Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Blays family

In 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 Blayss to arrive on North American shores: Albert Edward Blase, aged 16, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1917; Amalie Blase, aged 32, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1908; and Bishop Blase, aged 26, who arrived at Ellis Island from Liverpool, England, in 1911..



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