Find out how popular the last name Blanas is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Blanas.

Blanas, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Blanas surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Blanas in America

Blanas is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Blanas surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Blanas.

The history of the last name Blanas

The surname Blanas traces its origins to Greece, specifically within the regions of Thessaly, Macedonia, and Epirus. Evidence suggests that the name began to appear around the medieval period, circa the 12th century. The name is likely derived from the Greek word "μπλάνος" (blános), which roughly translates to "sawdust" or "sawdust maker." This etymology suggests that the original bearers of the name were likely involved in carpentry or woodworking professions, a common practice in Greek etymology where surnames often describe an occupation.

Historical references to the name Blanas are sparse but gradually become more common in local records from the 14th century onwards. One of the earliest documented appearances of the surname in written form is found in the regional records of Thessaly from the early 1300s. These records, typically church or land documents, show the presence of families bearing the name Blanas who were landowners or craftsmen.

The earliest recorded individual with the surname Blanas is Georgios Blanas, who appeared in the Byzantine administrative records of 1325. He owned a modest carpentry shop in a town near Larissa, Thessaly. The trade register from that period shows his contribution to local construction projects, particularly in ecclesiastical buildings.

The name Blanas appears in various spellings depending on the region and time period. An older variant includes Planas, which was more commonly used in Epirus between the 15th and 17th centuries. Manuscripts from monasteries in Meteora during the late 1400s refer to Demetrius Planas, a monk known for his skills in woodworking and crafting religious icons, with his works still preserved in some monasteries to this day.

During the Ottoman period in Greece, records from the 16th century refer to Athanasios Blanas in Macedonia, who was notable for petitioning Ottoman authorities for more rights for Greek craftsmen. He is specifically mentioned in 1573, advocating for reductions in the heavy taxes imposed on local tradesmen and artisans.

Another prominent figure is Alexandros Blanas, born in 1689 and a noted member of the Greek resistance during the early 18th century. His participation in various uprisings against Ottoman rule has been documented in historical texts and folklore, painting him as a local hero in northern Greece. He was believed to have died in 1750 after a series of confrontations with Ottoman soldiers.

An influential member of the community in the 19th century was Maria Blanas, born in 1834 in Volos. She was an early benefactor and activist for women's education in Greece. Maria Blanas supported the establishment of several girls' schools in Thessaly and her efforts are well-documented in educational reforms of the time.

Finally, an important modern figure is Nikos Blanas, a respected historian specializing in Byzantine and Ottoman Greece, born in 1922 and passing in 1995. His published works on the socio-economic conditions of Greece during these periods remain valuable resources for scholars.

Throughout history, the surname Blanas reflects a deep connection to the craft of woodworking and regional patriotism, with bearers of the name contributing significantly to their local communities in various capacities. The lineage of the Blanas surname offers an intriguing glimpse into the evolving tapestry of Greek history and society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Blanas

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Blanas.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Blanas was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Blanas was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Blanas, please contact us.

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