Blake (surname)

Blake is a surname which originated from Old English. Its derivation is uncertain; it could come from "blac", a nickname for someone who had dark hair or skin, or from "blaac", a nickname for someone with pale hair or skin.[1] Another theory, presumably in the belief it is a Welsh patronymic in origin, for which there is no evidence, was that it is a corruption of "Ap Lake", meaning "Son of Lake".[2]

This article is about the surname "Blake". For the given name, see Blake (given name). For other uses, see Blake (disambiguation).

Blake was the name of one of the 14 Tribes of Galway in Ireland. These Blakes were descendants of Richard Caddell, alias Blake, who was involved in the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169. As such a long present foreign name, it became known as de Bláca in Irish.[3]

The origins of the name Blake are also considered to be Old Norse, first appearing in Yorkshire, England, possibly derived from the word Blaker, referring to a village and a former municipality of Akershus county, Norway (east of Oslo).

Blake often refers to the British poet, painter and printmaker William Blake (1757–1827).

Notable people with the surname "Blake" include

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Fictional characters

See also

References
  1. "Blake". Surname Database. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
  2. Arthur, William, M.A. (1857). An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names With an Essay on their Derivation and Import. New York: Sheldon, Blake, Bleeker & Co. Retrieved 13 February 2009.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Blake". Library Ireland.
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