Blair History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Blair

What does the name Blair mean?

Blair was first used as a surname in the Scottish/English Borderlands by the Strathclyde-Briton. The first Blair family lived in the village of Blair, in the county of Ayrshire.

"The Blairs 'of that ilk' in Ayrshire, have been seated in that co. for more than 600 years. They claim the chief-ship of all the Blairs in the South and West of Scotland, though that honour is challenged by the Blairs of Balthayock, co. Perth, who date back to the beginning of the XIII. " 1

Early Origins of the Blair family

The surname Blair was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire.

Some of the earliest recorded instances of this Clan name include Stephen de Blare, who was a recorded witness of a document about the monastery of Arbroath between 1204 and 1211, and of Brice de Blair and Alexander del Blair, who witnessed an agreement between the burgh of Irvine and Brice de Eglustone in 1205. Alexander de Blare witnessed a charter by Fergus, earl of Buchan before 1214, and also a charter by Randulf de Strethphetham. William of Blare who witnessed a charter by Malcolm, seventh earl of Fife, is probably Sir William de Blar, seneschal of Fife, 1235. David de Blare of Perthshire rendered homage in 1296 to King Edward I of England. 2

William of Blare witnessed a charter by Malcolm, 7th Earl of Fife. He is probably the same man as Sir William de Blar, who was Seneschal of Fife in 1235. His son, Sir Bryce Blair, was known as "the gallant knight." He fought with Sir William Wallace but was eventually taken prisoner, and executed at Ayr. 2

John Blair (fl. 1300), was chaplain of Sir William Wallace, a native of Fife, and is said to have been educated at Dundee in the same school with Wallace. 3 He wrote an account of the travels and adventures, which is said to be the source for the famed verse written in the late 1400s, Schir William Wallace by Blind Harry.

Further to the south in England, "the Blairs, of Northumberland, are probably derived from the Blairs of Ayrshire." 4

Early History of the Blair family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blair research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1593, 1634, 1646, 1650, 1656, 1666, 1679, 1699, 1743, 1746 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Blair History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blair Spelling Variations

Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Blair has been spelled Blair, Blayr, Blare, Blaire and others.

Early Notables of the Blair family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Robert Blair (1593-1666) a Scottish Nonconformist divine, excommunicated in 1634, but later became Moderator of the General Assembly in 1646. "His father was a merchant-adventurer, John Blair of Windy...
Robert Blair (1699-1746), was a Scottish poet, best known for his third work, The Grave (1743)
James Blair (1656-1743), was an Episcopalian divine, born in Scotland (it is believed in Edinburgh) in 1656. "He was educated in 'one of the Scottish universities,' but none of the notices of him spec...

Blair World Ranking

In the United States, the name Blair is the 369^th most popular surname with an estimated 74,610 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Blair is ranked the 514^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,472 people with that name. 6 And in Australia, the name Blair is the 518^th popular surname with an estimated 7,407 people with that name. 7 New Zealand ranks Blair as 240^th with 2,470 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Blair as 495^th with 12,993 people. 9

Migration of the Blair family to Ireland

Some of the Blair family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blair migration to the United States +

Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. Among them:

Blair Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Dugall Blair, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 10
Sohn Blair, who arrived in West Indies in 1702 10
Alexander Blair who settled in New England in 1718
John Blair, who settled in New Hampshire in 1718
Abraham Blair, who landed in New England in 1718 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blair Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Archibald Blair, who arrived in Richmond, Va in 1800 10
James Blair, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1803 10
Margaret Blair, who arrived in America in 1804 10
William Blair, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1809 10
Samuel Blair, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blair migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Blair Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mathew Blair was a member of the grand jury at St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1780 11
Mr. David Blair U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 12
Mrs. Elizabeth Blair U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 12
Mr. George Blair U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 12
Mr. James Blair U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blair Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Buchanan Blair, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
John Blair, who landed in Canada in 1821
Robert Blair, aged 26, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Condor" in 1838
Rebecca Blair, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Condor" in 1838
Isabella Ann Blair, aged 6, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Condor" in 1838
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blair migration to Australia +

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

Blair Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Robert Blair, English convict who was convicted in Bedford, Befordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Burrell" on 22nd July 1830, arriving in New South Wales 13
Mr. John Blair, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 24th March 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. John Blair, Scottish convict who was convicted in Stirling, Scotland for 10 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 8th July 1840, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Thomas Blair, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 25th January 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 16
Miss Marion Blair who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Cadet" on 10th November 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blair migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Blair Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mrs. Blair, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Dunedin" arriving in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd January 1856 18
Mr. John Blair, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Dunedin" arriving in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd January 1856 18
Mrs. Agnes Blair, (née Dick), British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Canning" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1857 18
Mr. Robert Blair, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Canning" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1857 18
Miss Agnes Blair, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Canning" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1857 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Blair (post 1700) +

Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950), English author, who wrote under the pen name of George Orwell, best known for "Animal Farm" and "1984"
Prime Minister Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (b. 1953), British politician, Prime Minister of Britain (1997-2007) and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009)
Pamela Blair (1949-2023), American actress, singer, and dancer, best known for originating the role of Val in the musical A Chorus Line
Margaret June Blair (1933-2022), American model and actress, Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for its January 1957 issue and for her role as the wife of her real-life husband David Nelson in the Adventures of Ozzie
Albert Matthew "Matt" Blair (1950-2020), American professional NFL football player who was an outside linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings (1974-1985)
Bruce G. Blair (1947-2020), American nuclear security expert and a research scholar at the Program on Science and Global Security at Princeton
Carl Blair (1932-2018), American artist, member of the art faculty at Bob Jones University for over 40 years
William McCormick Blair (1884-1982), American financier, father of William McCormick Blair
William McCormick Blair Jr. (1916-2015), American diplomat, United States Ambassador to Denmark (1961 to 1964) and United States Ambassador to the Philippines (1964 to 1967)
David Blair (1967-2011), known as Blair, an American musician and poet
... (Another 19 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Blair family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Miss Patricia Blair (d. 1979), American passenger, from USA aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 19

HMS Repulse

Mr. Cyril Tom Blair, British Lieutenant "E", who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 20

North Sea Flood

James Blair, British worker aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" who survived the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
William C. Blair, British worker aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

The Blair 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: Amo probos
Motto Translation: I love the virtuous

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/burrell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 4th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cadet/
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html