The surname of BLAZY was a baptismal name 'the son of Blaze'. St. Blaise was the patron saint of wool-combers and his festival, (February 3rd) was commemorated in Yorkshire until the beginning of this century. A full-sized effigy of the bishop is carved in the principal entrance to the Bradford Exchange. Following the crusades in Europe in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, a need was felt for a family name to replace the one given at birth, or in addition to it. This was recognized by those of noble birth, and particularly by those who went on the Crusades, as it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function of 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 draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. Early records of the name mention that in January, 1537, Princess Mary entered into the Privvy Purse 'item payed to Blease for brawdering a payre of sleeves for my ladys grace'. Blaze, daughter of Godwinne, who was baptised at St. Peter, Cornhill, London in the year 1550. James, son of Andrew Blase was baptised at St. James's, Clerkenwell, London in the year 1605, and Joseph Tucker and Mary Bleeze were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in the year 1744. The rise of surnames, according to the accepted theory, was due to the Norman Conquest of 1066 when Old English personal-names were rapidly superseded by the new christian names introduced by the Normans. Of these, only a few were really popular and in the 12th century this scarcity of christian names led to the increasing use of surnames to distinguish the numerous individuals of the same name. Some Normans had hereditary surnames before they came to England, but there is evidence that surnames would have developed in England even had there been no Norman Conquest. The development of the feudal system made it essential that the king should know exactly what service each person owed. Payments to and by the exchequer required that debtors and creditors should be particularized, and it became official that each individual acquired exact identification. |
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