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

Blayer, 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 Blayer surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Blayer in America

Blayer is the 148244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Blayer surname appeared 102 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 Blayer.

The history of the last name Blayer

The surname Blayer is believed to have originated from France during the medieval period, specifically around the 12th century. The name is thought to have derived from the Old French word "blayer", which means "to bleat" or "to cry out". This could imply that the original bearers of the surname were perhaps known for their vocal attributes or were involved in occupations such as town criers or shepherds.

Blayer also carries connections to the Occitan region of Southern France, a linguistic and cultural area known for its distinct Romance languages. The Occitan word "blai" translates to "white" or "pale," which could indicate a descriptive nickname for someone with light hair or complexion. This dual possibility suggests the surname had variable significance depending on the region and the social context.

One early historical reference to the surname appears in the form of Guyot Blayer, who was documented in a 14th-century land transfer in southern France. Guyot's involvement in such legal matters attests to the presence and integration of the Blayers in local medieval communities.

By the 15th century, the surname Blayer had made its way to England, likely through Norman influence. A notable early bearer was Richard Blayer, who appears in tax records in Kent circa 1425. His family's steady documentation in this southeastern English county suggests their establishment over several generations.

In historical manuscripts, variations of the name such as Blaier, Blayre, and Bleyer can be found, indicating the fluidity of spelling before the standardization of English orthography. The name Blayer was notably recorded during the reign of Henry VIII, as a certain Thomas Blayer appeared in court rolls for Norfolk in the early 16th century.

Moving forward to the 17th century, Anne Blayer was a figure of some repute in London, contributing to local charitable activities and social events around 1650. Though less documented in famous exploits, her mention in various church and guild records highlights the presence of the name in urban centers during the period.

In the 18th century, Pierre Blayer, born in 1723, emigrated to the New World and became a noted figure in Quebec, Canada. His roles as a farmer and community leader demonstrate the surname's spread across the Atlantic and its integration into new frontiers.

Ultimately, the surname Blayer provides a fascinating look into social, linguistic, and migratory patterns over several centuries. Its bearers, from European medieval towns to North American settlements, have contributed to a diverse and compelling historical tapestry.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Blayer

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

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 Blayer 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 Blayer was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

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!