Blake. Admiral Robert, the great naval commander of Cromwell, was of Somerset, in which county Walter Blache occurs, 1273.
Blakey. The French pronunciation of Blaket. Vide Bleckett.
Blanch. William Blanc and Robert and John Blanche occur in Normandy, 1180. Henry Blanche, Oxford, 1272.
Blanchard. Ralph and William Blanchart were of Normandy, 1180. Gilbert and William Blanchard had estates in Lincoln. This fine old Norman family is readily traceable from Normandy to England, and from England to America. Colonel Robert Blanchard, with his tall, handsome figure and jocund face, would have thrown no discredit on his racial descent in any country, community, or social circle. His son, William Lytle Blanchard, an accomplished gentleman, was an officer in the Confederate service. Before the opening of the Civil War he had been an associate of Halliday (and other Anglo-Normans) in the establishment of the great overland route. William Lytle Blanchard was a first cousin of General William Haynes Lytle, of Cincinnati. The Blanchards are connected with the Rowans, Bollings, Lytles, Fosters, Stoths, and other distinguished families.
Blancherville, from the forest of B., Normandy. The family had branches in Ireland.
Blanchet. Robert and Ralph Blanchet.
Blanquet, or Blanket, Normandy, 1180. In England Blanchet or Blaket.
Blashfield. Anglicised form of Blancheville.
Blaxton, for Blackstone.