Show ContentsPlaket History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Plaket family

The surname Plaket was first found in Northumberland at Wylam, a township, in the parish of Ovingham, union of Hexham, E. division of Tindale ward. "The manor was an appurtenance to the monastery of Tynemouth, and was granted by the crown to a branch of the Fenwick family, of Fenwick Tower, from whom it passed to the Blacketts, in the reign of Charles II. It is now the property of Christopher Blackett, Esq., of Wylam House." 1

Again in Northumberland, but this time in West Matfen, we found Matfen Hall, "the beautiful seat of Sir Edward Blackett, Bart., a fine eminence sheltered by extensive woods." 1

Early History of the Plaket family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Plaket research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1621, 1649, 1657, 1673, 1680, 1685, 1688, 1689, 1690, 1705, 1718 and 1728 are included under the topic Early Plaket History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Plaket Spelling Variations

During the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Plaket occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Blackett, Blackitt, Blackhead, Blacket, Blackit and others.

Early Notables of the Plaket family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Sir William Blackett, 1st Baronet (1621-1680), English businessman in Newcastle and a politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1673 to 1680; Sir Edward Blackett, 2nd Baronet (1649-1718), an English...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Plaket Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Plaket family

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Plaket, or a spelling variation of the surname include: William Blackhead who settled in Virginia in 1734; Tobiah Blackett settled in Carolina in 1774; Tym Blackett settled in Virginia in 1635; Joshua Blackett settled in Maryland in 1739..



The Plaket 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: Nous travaillerons en L'esperance
Motto Translation: We will labor in hope.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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