Surname Blackney - Meaning and Origin

Blackney: What does the surname Blackney mean?

The surname Blackney is of English origin and is derived from the Old English term 'blaec', which means 'black', and 'eage' meaning 'island'. The combination of this surnamed literally translates to 'black island'. There is a possibility that the original bearer of this name may have come from or lived on a small, dark, rocky island.

Although the origin of the name is unknown, it is believed that it may have stemmed from a nickname, attributed to a person with a dark complexion or a black beard. It is also possible that it may come from an area of settlement such as a blackshire or black parish.

The name Blackney is rarely found in records prior to the 16th century, where it is first recorded in the records of St Nicholas Church in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. It is believed that the name may have been used when only one Blackney family lived in a certain place.

The surname Blackney is part of the larger category of Anglo-Norman habitation surnames. Today, the surname is itself is most commonly found bearers of the name are located in England and Scotland.

Blackney: Where does the name Blackney come from?

The last name Blackney is not particularly common today - primarily because it is a relatively rare name. It is mainly found in the United States, primarily in the Southeast and in the Midwest. It is a common name in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, and is also present in smaller numbers in Mississippi and North Carolina. It has a historical presence in those states, likely due to migration during the Great Migration, a period of African-American population shift from the Southern states to Northern and Midwestern cities beginning in the late 1800s. Many African-Americans moved from the South to the Midwest and Northwest in hopes of finding better opportunities, which could have led to the presence of the Blackney name in these regions.

Outside of the United States, the Blackney name is virtually unknown. There are almost no records of the name in countries other than the United States. This could be due to the fact that it is a relatively rare name. It is unlikely that many people have been able to keep their last name if it is rare, making it difficult for the name to spread around the world. Despite the rarity of the name, it is still present in many states in the United States.

Variations of the surname Blackney

Blackney is an English surname derived from the name Bleakney, a locational surname from the Bleakney area. It may have also been derived from one of the many minor places called Blackney, which is a corruption of Bleakney.

The variants, spellings, and surnames of Blackney include: Bleakney, Bleakeney, Blakeney, Blakeny, Blakney, Blakny, Blakkney, Blakeney, Blakany, Blackneye, Bleakenie, Blackeeney, Blackkney, Blackneey, Blakkneey, Blacknie, Blaknee, Blakenne, and Bleakennie.

The surname Blackney is not as commonly found throughout England as some other surnames. It can be found mainly in the counties of West Midlands, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, and Worcestershire.

In America, many people with the surname Blackney have either been part of a family that emigrated from England or have been adopted by a family within the United States. It is also likely that some of the surname holders were the descendants of slaves given the name after being freed.

Overall, the surname Blackney is relatively uncommon. However, it is possible to still come across it across various continents, especially in England and America.

Famous people with the name Blackney

• Julius Blackney: A musical artist and producer from London, England.
• Kathy Blackney: A former executive on the board of Directors for Baxter International.
• Phylissia Landix Blackney: A politician who served in the United States House of Representatives for Pennsylvania from 1991 until 1993.
• Patrick Blackney: An artist, designer and digital illustrator based in London.
• Keisha Blackney: A Grammy Award-nominated Canadian-born lyricist and founder of Halo Music.
• Marlon Blackney: A Canadian-born actor with films including 'Crazy Bitch', 'Environmental Rights' and 'Red Dawn'.
• George Blackney: A professional boxer who competed in the 1970 World Middleweight Boxing Championship.
• John Blackney: A British actor who has appeared in many films, television shows and stage productions.
• Samuel Blackney: An American photographer known for his work in portraiture, documentary and editorial images.
• Robert Blackney: An Canadian entrepreneur and investor, best known for co-founding the software company InterPulse.

Other surnames

Blacknik