Blennerhassett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The roots of the Blennerhassett surname reach back to the language of the Viking settlers who populated the rugged shores of Scotland in the Medieval era. The Blennerhassett surname 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 Blennerhassett family

The surname Blennerhassett 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 Blennerhassett family

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

Blennerhassett Spelling Variations

Few standards of spelling and translation existed in the Middle Ages. spelling variations, are thus, an extremely common occurrence in records of ancient Scottish names. Over the years, Blennerhassett has been spelled Blennerhasset, Blennerhassett, Blenerhasset, Blenner, Hassett, Hassetts and many more.

Early Notables of the Blennerhassett family

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 Blennerhassett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Blennerhassett family to Ireland

Some of the Blennerhassett 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.

Blennerhassett migration to the United States +

Land and opportunity greeted all those who made it across the Atlantic. These settlers and their children went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Clan societies and other Scottish organizations have preserved much of this heritage for the ancestors of those brave Scots. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Blennerhassett to North America:

Blennerhassett Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Blennerhassett who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1846
Fas. Blennerhassett, aged 26, who landed in America, in 1896
Mrs. Thomas Blennerhassett, aged 29, who settled in America, in 1896
Thomas Blennerhassett, aged 31, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896

Blennerhassett Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

John Blennerhassett, aged 18, who immigrated to the United States, in 1923

Contemporary Notables of the name Blennerhassett (post 1700) +

Harman Blennerhassett (1765-1831), Irish-American lawyer, eponym of Blennerhassett island in the Ohio river
Sir Robert Blennerhassett (1769-1831), 2nd Baronet of Blennerville, County of Kerry, Anglo-Irish peer
Sir Marmaduke Charles Henry Joseph Blennerhassett (1902-1940), 6th Baronet of Blennerville, County of Kerry, Anglo-Irish peer
Sir Arthur Charles Francis Bernard Blennerhassett (1871-1915), 5th Baronet of Blennerville, County of Kerry, Anglo-Irish peer
Sir Arthur Blennerhassett (1794-1849), 3rd Baronet of Blennerville, County of Kerry, Anglo-Irish peer
Sir "Marmaduke" Adrian Francis William Blennerhassett (b. 1940), 7th Baronet of Blennerville, County of Kerry, Anglo-Irish peer
Sir Rowland Blennerhassett (1741-1821), 1st Baronet, Anglo-Irish lawyer and baronet
John Blennerhassett (b. 1930), former Irish Fine Gael party politician from County Kerry
Rowland Ponsonby Blennerhassett KC, JP (1850-1913), Irish politician
Sir Rowland Ponsonby Blennerhassett PC, JP (1839-1909), 4th Baronet Blennerhassett, Irish politician, political writer, and historian

The Blennerhassett 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.

Citations +

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