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

Bles, 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 Bles surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bles in America

Bles is the 107134th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bles surname appeared 166 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Bles.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bles to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bles

The surname Bles has its origins in England, where it first emerged in the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "blaes," meaning a blaze or flame, possibly referring to someone with a fiery personality or a person who worked with fire, such as a blacksmith.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Wiltshire from 1206, where a certain John Bles is mentioned. Another early reference is in the Curia Regis Rolls of Northamptonshire from 1214, which lists a Robert Bles.

The surname Bles has also been associated with various place names throughout England. For instance, there is a village called Bles in Worcestershire, which may have contributed to the name's origins. Additionally, the surname could be related to the Old English word "blæse," meaning a blaze or torch, potentially indicating a connection to a specific location or occupation.

Historically, the Bles surname has been linked to several notable individuals. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Sir John Bles, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the 14th century. Another was William Bles, a respected clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Oxfordshire in the late 15th century.

In the 16th century, a notable figure with the surname Bles was John Bles, an English merchant and explorer who is believed to have been one of the first Englishmen to visit the West Indies. He was born around 1530 and is known for his accounts of the Caribbean islands and their inhabitants.

Moving into the 17th century, we find Thomas Bles, a renowned English painter who was born in 1600 and became known for his landscapes and religious works. His paintings can be found in various galleries and collections across Europe.

Another notable bearer of the Bles surname was Sir Edward Bles, a prominent politician and landowner who lived in the late 18th century. He served as a Member of Parliament for several years and was actively involved in local affairs in his home county of Gloucestershire.

While the Bles surname may not be as common as some others, it has a rich history and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries. From landowners and knights to merchants, clergymen, and artists, the name has left its mark on the annals of English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bles

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bles 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bles has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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