Surname Blow - Meaning and Origin
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Blow: What does the surname Blow mean?
The last name Blow is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from an Old English personal name, 'Blau'. Initially, it was used as a nickname for someone with a pale complexion, stemming from the Old English word 'blac', meaning 'pale' or 'fair'. Over time, as spelling evolved, it changed from 'Blac' to 'Blow'. It's also possible that the name referred to someone who worked as a blower, such as a blacksmith. In some instances, it may also be a locational surname referring to individuals who hailed from places named 'Blow' or 'Blowe'. In the Middle Ages, people often adopted names that were linked to their occupation, place of origin, or physical characteristics, making the exact lineage of such surnames complex to trace. As with all surnames, the meaning and origin can differ based on geographical locations and cultural influences. Please note that while these interpretations of the surname Blow are commonly accepted, surname etymology is an inexact science and these meanings may not hold true in every instance.
Order DNA origin analysisBlow: Where does the name Blow come from?
The surname Blow is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English pre 7th Century term "blaw", which means a blow or a swelling, and used to describe a blacksmith or a person with a swollen or bloated appearance. Moreover, the name can also be topographical, referring to someone who resided at a "blawe", a blown or wind-swept hillock or mound. Initially, the surname was spread throughout the southern and eastern areas of England.
The name first appeared on record in the 12th century, as Robert Blowe in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1191 and has a long tradition in England's history. During the years, it evolved into various forms such as Blowe, Blow, Bloowe, and Blowes. In the late 17th Century, the Blow family settled in Virginia, USA, making it a widespread surname across America today.
Nowadays, the name can be found in both England and the United States, with a notable number of bearers in each country. Prominent people with the surname include the British artist and educator, Sandra Blow, and the American journalist and commentator, Charles M. Blow.
Variations of the surname Blow
The surname Blow is primarily British in origin and was first found in the East Riding of Yorkshire. There are very few exact variations of the surname Blow, due to its simplicity and brevity. However, phonetical and transcription errors in historical records may have resulted in slight changes to the spelling over the years.
Some potential variants could include Bloo, Blou, Blowe, and Blo. Blow can often be mistaken for other surnames pronounced similarly, such as Blew, Bloe, or even Blue.
It is also worth noting that the surname Blow could potentially be a shortened version of a longer surname or a nickname, which can add to the complexity of tracing its origins and variations. For instance, it could be a shortened form of Blower or Blowers, which are also surnames of primarily British origin.
Lastly, in the case of surnames derived from occupations, Blow could have occurred as a variation of the surname Blacksmith, as the term 'blow' is associated with the blacksmithing process. This could further obscure the lineage and precise variations related to the surname Blow.
Regardless, the majority of descendants with this surname remain in England, particularly in the county of Yorkshire.
Famous people with the name Blow
- Isabella Blow: She was a vibrant and influential British magazine editor and fashion icon, known for her eccentricity and mentorship of designer Alexander McQueen.
- Kurtis Blow: As one of the first commercially successful rappers, Kurtis Blow's influence on the hip-hop genre is undeniable. His hits include "The Breaks" and "Christmas Rappin".
- David Blow: An English biophysicist, Blow made significant contributions to the field of crystallography. He is well-known for developing the method of X-ray crystallography used to study biological molecules.
- Trevor Blowes: An Australian footballer who played in the Victorian Football League during the 1950s.
- Detmar Blow: A British architect who was married to the eccentric fashion icon, Isabella Blow.
- Susan Blow: An American educator who opened the first successful public kindergarten in the United States.
- Jonathan Blow: An independent video game designer known for creating the critically acclaimed games "Braid" and "The Witness."
- Françoise de Méril: Also known as "Madame du Blow," she was a French playwright and actress during the 18th century.