Blunt

This unusual and interesting name has its origins in an English nickname for someone who was blond or fair haired, or who had a particularly light, fair complexion. The derivation is from the Anglo-Norman French word "blunt", meaning "blond", itself derived from the Old French "blund" or "blond", from the Latin "blondus". The creation of surnames from nicknames was a common practice in the Middle Ages and many modern-day surnames derive from medieval nicknames referring to personal characteristics, as in this instance, "the fair-haired one", or "white head". The "white-haired one" or "Rudd", someone with red hair or a muddy complexion. Recordings from English Church Registers include: the marriage of Anne Blunt and John Kyrckham at Aspeden, Hertfordshire, in 1561, and the christening of Frederick Blunt on August 16th 1807, in London. A Coat of Arms granted to the Blunt family consists of six gold and black wavy horizontal stripes, the Crest being the sun in glory, charged on the centre with an eye issuing tears, all proper. The Motto, "Inter lachrymas micat", translates as, "It shines amidst tears". The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Rodbertus Blundus, which was dated 1086, in the Domesday Book of Devonshire, during the reign of King William 1, known as "The Conqueror", 1066 - 1087. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.