Find out how popular the first name Blakeney has been for the last 31 years (from 1989 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.
From the Old English words "blaec" meaning "black" and "ey" meaning "island".
Based on the last 31 years of data, Blakeney is exclusively a female name.
For the most recent data in 2019, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Blakeney.
Year | Male Count | Female Count |
---|---|---|
2019 | 0 | 5 |
2017 | 0 | 5 |
2013 | 0 | 5 |
1993 | 0 | 5 |
1992 | 0 | 5 |
1989 | 0 | 5 |
The given name Blakeney is believed to have originated as a locational surname, referring to someone who lived near a blackened or burned area. It is derived from the Old English words "blac" meaning black and "leah" meaning a clearing or meadow. The earliest recorded spelling of the name dates back to the 13th century in various English historical records.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir Ralph de Blakeney, a Norman knight who fought alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman conquest of England in 1066. His descendant, Sir Edward Blakeney, was a prominent English military officer who served as the Governor of Chelsea Hospital in the late 18th century.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Blakeney appeared in the historical records of the English Reformation. John Blakeney was a Benedictine monk who refused to take the Oath of Supremacy, recognizing King Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. He was executed for his religious beliefs in 1539.
During the 17th century, the name Blakeney was associated with the English Civil War. Captain Robert Blakeney was a Royalist officer who fought for King Charles I against the Parliamentarian forces led by Oliver Cromwell. He was captured at the Battle of Naseby in 1645 and later exiled to the West Indies.
In the 19th century, Major-General Sir Edward Blakeney was a distinguished British military officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and later became the Governor of the Cape Colony in South Africa from 1825 to 1828. Another notable figure from this era was William Blakeney, an Irish author and dramatist who wrote several popular plays in the early 1800s.
Throughout its history, the given name Blakeney has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including military leaders, religious figures, authors, and more. While its origins can be traced back to Old English, the name has endured and been carried on through the centuries, leaving a lasting mark on history.
The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.
The history and meaning of the name Blakeney was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Blakeney, please contact us.
We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.
If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!
<a href="http://namecensus.com/first-names/blakeney-meaning-and-history/">Blakeney first name popularity, history and meaning</a>
"Blakeney first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 29, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/blakeney-meaning-and-history/.
"Blakeney first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/blakeney-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 29 May, 2025
Blakeney first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/blakeney-meaning-and-history/.
Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.
Simple as that.