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

Blish, 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 Blish surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Blish in America

Blish is the 41359th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Blish surname appeared 526 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 Blish.

We can also compare 2010 data for Blish 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 Blish

The surname Blish is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "blæc," meaning "black" or "dark," and may have initially referred to someone with dark hair or complexion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Blish can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appears as "Blak." This suggests that the name may have initially been spelled in a more phonetic manner before evolving into its modern form.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings in England compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the name Blish. However, it does include entries for places with similar-sounding names, such as "Blachene" in Berkshire and "Blachenesfeld" in Norfolk, which could be related to the name's origins.

In the 14th century, the name Blish began to appear more frequently in various records across England. One notable individual from this period was John Blish, a merchant and landowner who lived in the town of Shrewsbury during the late 1300s.

During the Renaissance, the name Blish continued to be found in various parts of England. One notable figure was William Blish, a playwright and poet who was born in London in 1567 and is known for his works such as "The Baited Mouse" and "The Merrie Conceited Jests of George Peele."

In the 18th century, the Blish surname gained prominence with the birth of Sir Richard Blish (1718-1792), a British military officer who served in the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War. He was knighted for his service and is remembered for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

Another notable figure from this period was Elizabeth Blish (1756-1832), a pioneering educator who founded one of the first schools for girls in England. Her innovative teaching methods and advocacy for women's education earned her widespread recognition and respect.

As the Blish surname spread across England and beyond, it also appeared in various place names and geographical locations. For example, the village of Blish Hamlet in Gloucestershire is believed to have derived its name from the Blish family who once resided there.

Throughout its history, the surname Blish has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, landowners, military officers, educators, and artists. While its origins may be rooted in medieval England, the name has since spread across the globe, carried by generations of Blish families who have left their mark on history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Blish

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

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

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

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