Northern Borders and Miscellany Region.
1) An area encompassing Cumberland, Durham, Northumberland & Westmoreland.
This area accounts for the most documented members of the family. By far the majority of whom lived in the county of Durham. see surname origins. It has been claimed that the family originate at the manor of Blakiston in the parish of Norton.
The Manor of Blakiston.
In 1082 a quarrel took place in the religious fraternity at Durham. A number of canons were expelled to various parishes in the Palatinate including Norton. Granted to the canons at Norton was the manor of Blaichestun, 21/2 miles North-west of Norton Church. In 1265 the manor was bestowed by the monks upon Geoffrey de Park for a yearly rental of 26 shillings and services. A descendant Richard de Park founded a chantry at Blakiston. There he appointed a chaplain, John de Blaykeston. (2)
The Blakiston Family of Blakiston.
It is this family of which much is written and who probably account for many of those with Durham descent and forebears who have flourished and traveled far and wide. Surtees and others (3) write that it was John de Blaykeston who was the first to bear the name. However, his pedigree starts with Hugo de Blakiston. His sons Roger and Ralph, acquired land in or near to Blakiston, bit by bit, from the family of de Park, in 1341 and 1349. Information based on documents and records dealing with the public liabilities of landed property, and on personal deeds such as inquisitions post mortem, wills and administrations. It is quite likely that the brothers should be identified with Ralph de Blaykeston, a priest who was of some importance about 1333, and Roger, who was attorney in 1331 to Ludovic Beaumont, Bishop of Durham, and served him on various commissions. It is often stated that in about 1376, on the seal of Roger de Blaykeston, there appeared for the first time the arms of the family. Recently I've chanced across an earlier copy of this seal dated 1357.
The Seal of Roger de Blaykeston appended to a receipt of sixty shillings from the Prior of Durham in 1357. Surtees Vol. 1 part 11 page CLXXI plate IX (Engraving enlarged).
The gradual prosperity of the family can be traced for 200 years down to John Blakiston, ninth in descent from Hugo, who was buried in 1587.(1) Surtees describes them as a new and ambitious family, "who rose rapidly from obscurity to wealth and importance, tear(ing) field after field, and finally the manor itself, from their lords".(3)
McGlashan challenges this view; based on information provided by the Rev. Patrick Blakiston. They argue that the family names existed before John de Blaykeston. He bases this on two facts 1) a document published by the Surtees Society, The Chartulary of Brinkburn Priory, XC, 1893, pp.152-3. This records that between 1267 and 1272 lands at Shotton in Northumberland were granted to Brinkburn Priory by a Robert de Blaikeston and his wife Olive. A reference 1267 to "salute animae meae et animabus antecessorum meorum". He believes proves that Robert had ancestors who bore the name. 2) He also suggests that, "the marriage of Hugo de Blaykeston to Cecilia Fitz-Ralph, and his son Roger to Christiana de Wessington, would have been beyond the reach of a new and obscure family." (2) (See updates 2nd May'04) There was an earlier De Wessington / de Blaykeston connection in1376, in the form of the “Wessington /Blaykeston Deed" which records a settlement between Sir William de Wessyngton and William de Blaykeston. Lords_of_Washington_Manor.html
In addition to the family as listed by Surtees and others I have found further early holders of the name at Blakiston in a set of 4 volumes entitled: "Registrum Palatinum Dunelmense", (1878). These volumes are transcripts of ancient documents relating to Durham. A project initiated by the Master of the Rolls and edited by Sir Thomas Dufus Hardy deputy keeper of the public records. These list many documents relating to Roger de Blaykeston and William de Blaykeston but include references to others:
1314 A Rogerum serventum domni de Blaykeston is mentioned. The index lists him as Roger de Blaykeston, servant.
1334 Ricardus de Blaykeston 'ad titulum v. marcarum de manerio de Blaykeston.
1342 Thomas de Blaykeston was appointed to the 1st tonsure by the authority of the Bishop of Durham.
1344 Nicholas de Blaykeston son of Henry de Blaykeston was accompanying a Thomas de Gretham and others at Billyingham when he was assaulted.
W.H. Longstaffe in his 'History of the Parish of Darlington', p.205 (1854) lists the Will of Cecilia Underwood wife of William of Durham. The will, amongst others, bequeaths 2s to Agnes de Blakeston.
The family of Hugo de Blaykeston flourished, different members of the family held lands at Coxhoe, Whitton, Old Malton, Gibside (in the parish of Whickham), Seaton, Thornton Hall (in the parish of Bishop Wearmouth), Newton Hall, near Durham, as well as the manor of Blakiston itself. Documents such as the Visitations of Durham and Yorkshire demonstrate this. Each claim the coat of arms, "argent two bars gule in chief three cocks of the last." (4)
Marriage was one means through which the family seemed to prosper with many advantageous unions. The family probably reached it's height during the time of John Blakiston of Blakiston (1535-1586). It can boast of a number of noteworthy individuals . Amongst whom have been Knights, Baronets, prominent churchmen, merchants, soldiers and members of parliament. The family seems to have gone into decline suffering from the dual process of land division and fines for recusancy. (2) For those studying the Civil Wars, this family exemplifies the splits that took place in families with brothers serving on opposing sides. One of whom was a Regicide. All with consequent fluctuations in family fortunes.
The junior branches of the family are said to have withered and some to have fallen into abject poverty (3) By 1820 there were no Blakistons recorded as holding lands in the county (2) But all branches did not perish. H.E.D. Blakiston has successfully demonstrated that a branch of the family existed first at Stappleton in Yorkshire and later as merchants in London. To this Sir Matthew Blakiston Lord Mayor of London himself belonged. Along with a number of Army and Naval Commanders. H.E.D. Blakiston is himself of this descent (1) There is also a branch of the family who moved to Huntingdonshire and to Sussex. To whom belong Henry Blaxton Chancellor of Chichester Cathedral (1572-1606) and his descendant Edward Blaxton pharmacist 1770.
Blakiston Hall at Norton eventually was sold out of the family fell into disrepair and was demolished. (Images of Blakiston Hall.) St Mary's Chuch at Norton houses the 'Blakiston Porch', recumbent within is the image of a knight bearing the Blakiston arms. However, these were thought to have been added to the effigy at a later date by a member of the family. To-day this Knight is thought to be Sir Roger Fulthorpe who died in 1337. (Image of the Blakiston Porch)
The following is taken from Burke's Extinct & Dormant Baronetcies:
BLAKISTON OF BLAKISTON
(out of Copyright)
Created
27th May 1615. Extinct 1630.
JOHN
BLAKISTON, esq.
of Blakiston, aged twenty in 1557, d. in
1587, leaving by Elizabeth, his first daughter and co-heir of Sir George Bowes,
knt. of Streatlam, inter alios,
WILLIAM,
his heir.
Thomas,
of Old Malton, in Yorkshire, whose male descendants became extinct in 1684.
Christopher,
of Coxhow, in Durham, whose daughter and heir m.
William Kennet, esq.
Marmaduke,
prebendary of Durham, ancestor of the Blakistons of Newton Hall, in I)urham, and
of Robert Blakiston, esq. of Bishop Wearmouth who was living at Gateshead in
1821, married with a numerous family.
Muriel,
m. to William Wyclyffe, esq.
of Wycliffe, in Yorkshire.
The
eldest son,
SIR
WILLIAM
BLAKIST0N, knt.
of Blakiston, b. in 1553,
knighted at Whitehall, 23rd July, 1003,
m. 26th November1581,
Alice, daughter and co-heir of William Claxton, esq. of Winyard, and had issue,
Thomas, his heir.
John who m. Anne, daughter of Francis Trollop,
Eden, in Durham.
Elizabeth, m. to John Trollop, esq. of Thornley. m
. to Topp Heath, esq. of Little Eden.
Frances, d. unm.
The
eldest son,
THOMAS
BLAKISTON, of Blakiston, baptised at , 8th July, 1582, was created a BARONET
27th May 1582.
He
m. Mary, daughter of Sir Henry Constable, of Burton Constable, in Yorkshire,
and sister Viscount Dunbar, by whom he had two daughters Margaret, b. in 1614,
and Mary, m, to Sir Smith, knt. of Broxton, Notts, and had Issue. Sir Thomas d.
in 1630, when the BARONETCY
became EXTINCT. The estate he had sold in 1615, to Alexander Davison, of
Newcastle, merchant, who afterwards died under arms In the service of King
CHARLES, at the age of eighty-one, during the memorable siege of Newcastle,
in 1644. His son, Sir Thomas Davison, inheritor of his father’s spirit and
loyalty, was high sheriff of Durham after the Restoration, and for a long series
of generations his descendants continued to reside at Blakiston, until their
marriage with the heiress of BAND so induced them to desert their ancient
residence for Kippax, the seat of the latter family. The manor of Blakiston was
sold again some years since to William Russell, esq. of Brancepeth Castle, in
Durham
BLAKISTON,
OF GIBSIDE.
CREATED
30th July, 1642.—EXTINCT 8th Oct. 1713.
WILLIAM
BLAKISTON, esq. a younger son of the very house of Blakiston, of Blakiston, m.
Eleanor Millot of Whithill, in Durham, and left at his decease (his will bearing
date 15th January, 1561), a daughter, Dorothy, wife of Christopher Fulthorpe,
esq. of Tunstall and a son,
ROGER
BLAKISTON, esq. who m. Elizabeth, daughter and sole heir of Richard Marley, esq.
of Gibside, in Durham,and had issue,
1.
William, of Gibside, who m. Joane, daughter of
Robert Lambton, esq. of Lambton, but d. s. p.
II
GEORGE, of whom presently.
III.Thomas.
I.
Anne, m. to George Lumley, esq. of Axwell House, Durham.
II
Dorothy.
III.
Mary.
V. Grace, m. to Christopher Shafto, esq
VI. Eleanor, m. to — Bennett.
VII. Barbara
VIII
Mary, as. to — Hardcastle.
The
second son,
GEORGE
BLAKISTON, esq. of Hedley Hall, in Durham, wedded Eleanor, daughter of John
Thaine, esq. Of Swaffam, in Norfolk, and by her (who m. 2ndly, 1597, Rev.
Richard Fawcett, rector of Boldon,)
Issue,
WILLIAM,
his heir.
II
HENRY, of Archdeacon Newton, who left surviving Issue, Sir William Blakiston,
a distinguished loyalist, and Mary, m. to Stephen Thompson, of Humbleton, in
Yorkshire,
i.
Elizabeth.
ii,
Elinor.
iii.
Joane, m. to —
Morell.
iv.
Alice, m. to the Rev. John Hickes, rector of Whitburn.
The
eldest son,
SIR
WILLIAM
BLAKISTON, knt. of Gibside, m. Jane, daughter of Robert Lambton, esq. of
Lambton, and had issue,
i.
RALPH, his heir.
ii.
Nicholas, of
Shieldrow, in Durham, m. Jane Porter,
and had issue.
iii.
Lionel.
iv.
John, who left issue.
v.
Roger, of Hedley, m. Miss
Cooke, of Newcastle, and had issue.
vi.
William.
vii.
Henry, m. and had issue.
i.
Margaret, m.
to Roger Fenwick, esq. of Shortflatt.
ii.
Jane, m.
to Toby Dudley, esq. of Chopwell.
iii.
Dorothy.
iv.
Barbara, m. Lindley Wren, esq.
son and heir of Sir Charles Wren, knt.
Sir
William d.
in 1641, and was s. by his
son,
i.
SIR RALPH
BLAKISTON, of Gibside, aged twenty-six in 1615, who was created a BARONET,
30th July, 1642. He m. Margaret, daughter of Sir William Fenwick, knt. of
Wallington, in Northumberland, and bad issue,
I.
WILLIAM,
his heir.
11.
FRANCIS, successor to
his brother,
III.
Henry,d. young.
IV.
George, of Lintz Hall, d. unm. will dated 1682.
V.
Robert, d.s.p.
i.
Margaret, m. to Thomas
Moore, esq. of Angram Grange, in Yorkshire.
ii.
Mary, of New Rivet, d.
unm. 1077. Sir Ralph d.
in 1651, and was s. by his eldest son,
II.
SIR WILLIAM
BLAKI5TON, of Gibside, who m. Mary, daughter of Cecil Calvert, Lord
Baltimore, but leaving no surviving issue at his decease in 1692, was s.
by his brother,
III.
SIR FRANCIS
BLAKISTON, of Gibside, who as. Anne, daughter of Sir George Bowes, knt. of
Bradley, and dying 8th Oct. 1713, the BARONETCY became EXTINCT,
but the estates descended to Sir Francis’s only surviving child and heir,
ELIZABETH,
m.
In 1693, to SIR WILLIAM
BOWES, knt. of Streatlam Castle.
Unproven Links to Norton.
There is a family today who still have a claim to descend via the Seaton family, and to it's coat of arms. A line traced to Thomas Blakiston of Blakiston who died in 1483 (1 & 2). This is the family of the Rev. Robert Blakiston Vicar of Ashington, Sussex. I haven't seen this full tree and would love to do so. I also think this would be a good family for the Gene Study.
Surtees suggests that many of the seafaring families at Old Burdon, Sunderland and Bishop Wearmouth were of this family (1) There was a family by the name of Blaxton in London, and surrounds, who can be traced to a Blaxton family at Tanfield. Again there may be connections here.
I believe, as yet, the claims that, Rev William Blaxton of Boston, heralds from this family are dubious and unsubstantiated.
There are two Australian families, whom I believe, probably have links to Norton. Via a family at Barnard Castle. This link has yet to be found.
Unlinked Medieval Blakiston's in Durham.
Ref No. D/Gr 172
[A 44] Latin. 10 April 1345. Dated apud Mordone et Kellawe die
Dominica proxima post festum Sancti Ambrosii, anno Domini millesimo
tricentesimo quadragesimo quinto. Charter whereby Talbot de
Northaluertoun, chaplain, confirms to John, son of Henry de Kellawe, and
Elizabeth, sister of the same John, 3 parts of the manor of Mordone and a
3rd part of the manor of Magna Kellawe which he had of the gift of the same
John, son of Henry de Kellawe. To have to John and Eliz. and heirs, of the
chief lords, by the services due, with services of the free men, with suits
and issue of villeins, with wards and reliefs [etc.]. Talbot and heirs
warrant. Witnesses: Willelmo de Mordone, Johe. de Elstobb, Willelmo de
Blaykestone tunc vicecomite Dunelm., Robto. Nellesone de Fyshburne, Johe.
Harpyne[?], Waltero de Luddeworthe, Nicholao filio Symonis de Kellawe, Johe.
Freman de Cassehoppe. Seal missing.
William de
Blaykeston @ Sedgefield
John Rowland of Butterwick, son of a sister of Wm aged 30 is his nephew,
next of kin. Lands at Carlton, Redmarshall, Blakiston, Thorpthewles.
Will 1349 Nov 16 (3)
Blackiston (Blaxton) William 1430-85: of Newcastle, Merchant & Shipowner. M.P Newcastle upon Tyne 1472-5, Sherrif N'Castle 1464-5. In 1471 this Blackston, merchant, held a waste messuage in the close, called the Earl's Farm, from Henry, Earl of Northumberland, & paid on it 26s 8d to the work on Tyne Bridge. Mayor 1467, 1470, 1472-3: Alderman 1475 onwards. In 1473, John of the Syde, merchant sued him on an action of account brought by Blackstone before himself a mayor, relative the governance of the said Blackstone's ship. (25) (there are records of a merchant in Hull at this time of the same name. Could they be one and the same person?)
Commission to Jn Howard Knt. re. to seize a ship at
N'Castle on Tyne & to arrest (a list incl.) Wm Blakeston, Edward
Blakeston.
1461-1467 Calender of Patent Rolls
Commission to Robt Ogle again at N'Castle on Tyne & riots issue to
arrest (list incl) Edw. Blaxton march.
29 Oct. 1466 1461-1467 Calender of Patent Rolls. (Edward & Wm are
mentioned several times in this context)
The Norton Registers begin in 1574. They contain numerous entries to "a branching race of yeoman, perhaps distantly connected to the Lords of Blakiston." (3)
1529 Will of Sir [courtesy title for a priest] Robert Blakeston, late vicar of the parish church of Staynton.
2) Channel Islands, Isle of Mann, Miscellaneous & Royal Navy.
The sea seems to be very much in the blood of many Blakiston's. Note how many lived by ports or coastal regions.
Isle of Mann Asylum. Frederick Cairns Blakiston was the Superintendent.
Jan 1912 Frederick Cairns Blakiston (Surgeon) & Winifred Gladys (nee Winsor). Roots with the Seaham family of Durham. (photos courtesy of Jacky Marsh)
