Contents [hide]

Blundell History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Blundell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Ireland

Etymology of Blundell

What does the name Blundell mean?

When the ancestors of the Blundell family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Lancashire. Other records show the name could have been derived from the nickname Blondel or Blundel which means the blonde or blond haired person. However, the Blondel spelling less common than the Blundell spelling and its variants.

Early Origins of the Blundell family

The surname Blundell was first found in Lancashire where they were granted lands at Ince by William the Conqueror in 1066 A.D. William Blundell or Blondell, Lord of Ince, held three knight's fees. 1

"The manor [of Birkdale in Lancashire], in the reign of Henry IV., was held by the Halsalls; and the Gerards of Bromley became possessed of the estate by purchase, in the 17th century: from the latter it passed to the Mordaunts, and from them to the Blundell family." 2

One of the first records of the family was that of Robert Blundell, rector of the church of St. Michael, Aughton, Lancashire in 1246. 3

Ince Blundell, in Lancashire was the ancient family seat. "The Blundells are said to have been lords of the manor from the time of the Conquest, and William Blundell is mentioned as having a seat here in the reign of Henry III. In the midst of Ince-Blundell park is the Hall, the family seat of the Blundells, a large handsome mansion with stone dressings, at the eastern angle of which is a building called "The Pantheon," erected by the late Henry Blundell, Esq., and precisely similar in its architecture and proportions to the Pantheon at Rome, but one-third less. The building contains a splendid collection of paintings, statuary, sarcophagi, urns, and other relics of antiquity, procured by the founder, and said to be unequalled by any similar collection in the kingdom: there are upwards of 360 statues, busts, and basso-relievos in this temple of the arts. " 2

"One of the Blundells settled in Bedfordshire, where the name is found in a list of the principal gentry of the county in the time of Henry VI. Fuller, in quoting this catalogue from an ancient record, says, 'Hungry Time has made a glutton's meal on this catalogue of gentry, and hath left but a little morsel, for manners, remaining; so few of these are found extant in this shire, and fewer continuing in genteel equipage; among whom I must not forget the family of the Blundells, whereof Sir Edward Blundell behaved himself right valiantly in the unfortunate expedition to the isle of Roe.' This was the expedition to the isle of Rhee, under the Duke of Buckingham. The family thence migrated to Ireland. " 4

Early History of the Blundell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blundell research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1155, 1276, 1520, 1523, 1579, 1601, 1604, 1620, 1625, 1643, 1692, 1707, 1711 and 1734 are included under the topic Early Blundell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blundell Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Blundell has been recorded under many different variations, including Blundell, Blondell, Blondle, Blundle and others.

Early Notables of the Blundell family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

William Blundell of Crosby Hall, an ardent royalist in the Cromwellian affair; Peter Blundell (1520-1601) English merchant and manufacturer of Tiverton, who made a fortune manufacturing kersey cloth a...

Migration of the Blundell family to Ireland

Some of the Blundell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blundell migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Blundells were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Blundell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Ann Blundell, who landed in Maryland in 1658 5
Heny Blundell, who arrived in Virginia in 1666 5
William Blundell, who settled in Virginia in 1698

Blundell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Brian Blundell, who settled in New England in 1700
John Blundell, who landed in America in 1760 5
Charles Blundell, who settled in Maryland in 1774 with his wife, Mary

Blundell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Dennis Blundell, aged 24, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1834 5
Halehs Blundell, aged 21, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1834 5
James Blundell, who landed in Mississippi in 1844 5

Blundell migration to Australia +

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

Blundell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Sophia Blundell, (b. 1784), aged 19, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for breaking and entering, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1827 6
Thomas Blundell, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 29, 1828, settling in New South Wales, Australia 7
Emily Blundell, who arrived in Kangaroo Island aboard the ship "Buffalo" in 1836 8
Mr. Thomas Blundell, (b. 1784), aged 54, English farm labourer from Salehurst, Sussex, England travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maitland" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 6th November 1838, he died in 1865 9
Miss Harriet Blundell, (b. 1818), aged 20, English house servant from Salehurst, Sussex, England travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maitland" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 6th November 1838, she died in 1883 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blundell 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:

Blundell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Maria Blundell, aged 26, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
William Joseph Blundell, aged 6 mths., who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
Mr. Joseph A Blundell, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Spray of the Ocean" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 1st September 1859 11
Edward Blundell, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Buttermere" in 1886

Contemporary Notables of the name Blundell (post 1700) +

James H. Blundell (d. 1956), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1940 (alternate), 1948 12
Fred Blundell, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1928 12
Charles Blundell, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Clark County Democratic Party, 1950 12
Art Blundell, American Republican politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 22nd District, 2012 12
William Richard Charles Blundell OC (1927-2023), Canadian businessman, born in Montreal, Quebec, CEO of General Electric (1985-1990)
James Blundell (b. 1964), Australian country music singer
William Blundell (b. 1947), Australian painter and art forger
Sir Tom L Blundell (b. 1942), British biologist and science administrator
Graeme Blundell (b. 1945), Australian actor, director and producer
Sir Edward "Denis" Blundell GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QSO (1907-1984), Governor-General of New Zealand from 1972 to 1977
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Blundell family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Charles H Blundell, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 13

HMS Repulse

Mr. Thomas W Blundell, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 14
Mr. Andrew J Blundell, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 14

HMS Royal Oak

Thomas W.A. Blundell, British Petty Officer with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 15

The Blundell 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: Unus et idem ferar
Motto Translation: I will be borne along one and the same.

Citations +

Liber Niger Scutarii ("Black Book of the Exchequer"), containing reports by county on feudal holdings in England in 1166 (reign of Henry II)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 24) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1828 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1828
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HMS BUFFALO 1836. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1836Buffalo.htm
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 11th July 2021). Retrieved from https://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5313/4_4780/Maitland_5 Nov 1838/4_478000079.jpg&No=41
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 11th July 2021). Retrieved from https://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5313/4_4780/Maitland_5 Nov 1838/4_478000079.jpg&No=42
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html