The surname of BLAKEY was derived from an old Scottish personal name 'the son of Blaec'. Early records mention John Blakye of Clony, 1506. William Blakie appears as an inhabitant of Leith in 1528. Sir William Blaky was Chaplain in Perth in 1545. Andrew Blakie was aid in the Court kitchen in 1596. The first people in Scotland to acquire fixed surnames were the nobles and great landowners, who called themselves, or were called by others, after the lands they possessed. Surnames originating in this way are known as territorial. Formerly lords of baronies and regalities and farmers were inclined to magnify their importance and to sign letters and documents with the names of their baronies and farms instead of their Christian names and surnames. The abuse of this style of speech and writing was carried so far that an Act was passed in the Scots parliament in 1672 forbidding the practice and declaring that it was allowed only to noblemen and bishops to subscribe by their titles. The surname was common in Edinburgh in the 17th century. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. Registered in Scotland. The name was also spelt BLACKEY. Notable members of the name include John BLACKIE (l782-l874) the Scottish publisher. In l809 he founded the Glasgow firm which still bears the name. Art BLAKEY, born in l9l9 the American jazz drummer and band leader. He has been a consistently influential teacher and leader in the world of jazz. Surnames as we know them today were first assumed in Europe from the 11th to the 15th Century. The employment in the use of a second name was a custom that was first introduced from the Normans. They themselves had not long before adopted them. It became, in course of time, a mark of gentler blood, and it was deemed a disgrace for gentlemen to have but one single name, as the meaner sort had. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the flowing and draped garment worn over the armour. |
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