The surname of BLAKESON was a locational name 'of Blackstone Edge' in County Lancashire, or Blaxton in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The name was derived from the Old English word BLAECSTAN, literally meaning the dweller by the black-stone, from residence nearby. Early records of the name mention BLACKSTAN (without surname) who was listed as a tenant in the Domesday Book of 1066, and William Blacston appears in 1235 in Berkshire. William Blackstone was recorded in County Buckinghamshire during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377). Local names find their origins in the villages, towns and areas where people were born, or from the land they owned. In the Middle Ages, a man was identified by his place of birth and almost every city, town and village existing in medieval times has originated one or more family names. Anyone leaving his birthplace would be known to new friends and neighbours by the name of his former residence, his birthplace, or the land he owned. Of William Blackstone, one of the earliest episcopal clergymen resident in New England (died 1675), his name was variously spelled Blackstone, Blackston and Blaxton. Marmaduke Blakeson of County Durham, registered at Oxford University in the year 1579, and James Blakestone and Mary Peacocke were married in London in the year 1625. Thomas Blaxestone and Ann Fan were married at St. James's, Clerkenwell, London in the year 1668. Hugh Cane and Dame Annebella Blakiston were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in 1776. It is said of the family that 'few families of private gentry have spread more wide, or flourished fairer that Blakiston; but all its branches, Gibside, Newton Hall, Old Malton, Seaton and Thornton Hall, have perished like the original stock'. The associated coat of arms is recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Registered at Blakiston, County Devon. It has long been a matter of doubt when the bearing of coats of arms first became hereditary and it was not until the Crusades that Heraldry came into general use. Men went into battle heavily armed and were difficult to recognise. It became the custom for them to adorn their helmets with distinctive crests, and to paint their shields with animals and the like. Coats of arms accompanied the development of surnames, becoming hereditary in the same way. |
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