Show ContentsBluck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

As a name, Bluck was often interchangeable with Black in early times. Both names are thought to be derived from Old English words such as "bloec" or "blac," which meant "black," or from the Old English "blac," which surprisingly could mean "pale." Early forms of the surname Black have existed in Britain since the 10th century. 1 2 3 4

Early Origins of the Bluck family

The surname Bluck was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from very ancient times, and Walter le Blake was recorded in the Pipe Rolls for the region in 1167. However some of the family moved far north to Twizell in Northumberland, about 10 miles from Berwick. "Twizell Castle, a fine though unfinished castellated mansion of the Blakes, is seated on a rocky precipice, surrounded by extremely picturesque scenery; and near it is Tillmouth House, the present residence of the family." 5

"Blake is a south of England name, found most frequently in Wiltshire, Cornwall, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire. Amongst the old established Wiltshire families I may refer to that of Blake, which is at present best represented around Chippenham. There were Blakes in Warminster in the reign of Elizabeth, and they are still to be found there, and the name has been represented in Ludgershall since the beginning of the 17th century. An influential family of this name owned Pinhill House in Calne in the 17th century." 6

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Hamo le Blake in Buckinghamshire; Reginald le Blake in Cambridgeshire; Reyner le Blake in Norfolk; and Edericke le Blacke in Lincolnshire. 1

Kirby's Quest lists: "William le Blake, Somerset, 1 Edward III." 7 (William le Blake helds lands in Somerset during the first year's reign of Edward III.)

Further to the north in Scotland, early records there revealed Luce Blake was tenant of land in Waldefgate, Berwick, c. 1266 and Atkyn Blake was a charter witness in Ayr c. 1340. 8

Early History of the Bluck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bluck research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1185, 1219, 1266, 1273, 1340, 1536, 1559, 1597, 1598, 1599, 1608, 1627, 1643, 1657, 1694, 1695, 1698, 1700, 1701, 1702, 1709, 1757, 1765, 1772, 1774, 1780, 1827 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bluck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bluck Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Bluck has been recorded under many different variations, including Blake, Blaik and others.

Early Notables of the Bluck family

Distinguished members of the family include Admiral Robert Blake (1559-1657), born in Bridgewater, considered the greatest English admiral after Nelson; Thomas Blake (c.1597-1657), an English clergyman and controversialist; Robert Blake (1598-1657), one of the most important military commanders of the Commonwealth of England, one of the most famous...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bluck Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bluck family to Ireland

Some of the Bluck family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 142 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Bluck migration to Australia +

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

Bluck Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Richard Bluck, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 14th October 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
  • Charles J Bluck, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "The Stratheden" in 1850 10


  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)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Dixon, Bernard Homer, Surnames. London: John Wilson and son, 1857. Print
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  7. 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.
  8. 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)
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  10. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The STRATHEDEN 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Stratheden.htm


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