Blackmore

Blackmore is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name is a locational surname, derived from the Old English words "blaec" meaning 'black' and "mor" meaning 'moor' or 'marsh'. The surname Blackmore was used to identify individuals who lived near a black moorland or swampy area.

The earliest recorded instance of the Blackmore surname dates back to the 11th century in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a mention of a Blackmore family in Somerset is found. Over the centuries, the surname has spread to various parts of England, with concentrations in counties such as Devon, Cornwall, and Essex.

The Blackmore family name has a rich history, with notable individuals bearing the surname making contributions in various fields. One of the most famous Blackmores is Sir Richard Doddridge Blackmore (1825–1900), an English novelist and poet best known for his work "Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor".

Today, the surname Blackmore continues to be borne by families across the United Kingdom and in other parts of the world where British descendants have settled. It remains a reminder of the historical connections to the English landscape and the moors that inspired its early bearers.

There are approximately 8,699 people named Blackmore in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,088th most common surname in Britain. Around 134 in a million people in Britain are named Blackmore.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Alison
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Jane
  • Joanne
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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