Blase

This unusual name is of medieval English origin, from the given name Blase or Blaze, which was derived ultimately from an old Roman family name, Blasius. The personal name was originally a byname or nickname for someone with a defect of speech or gait, from the Latin "blaesus", stammering, and the Greek "blalsos", bow-legged. The popularity of the 4th Century Christian martyr, St. Blaise, contributed to the spread of the personal name in the Middle Ages, particularly in England because St. Blaise was the patron saint of wool-workers, where the wool trade was so important. The given name has generated a variety of surnames in Europe; in France Blaise, Blais and Blasi; in Italy Blasio and Blas (also found in Spain); in Germany Blasius and Bless, and in Belgium Blaes. The English forms are mainly Blaze, Blase, Blease and Bleas. The marriage of William Blase, and Katheren Blaxley was recorded at St. Giles's, Cripplegate, London, on July 23rd 1587. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Dianise Blase (christening), which was dated October 1585, St. Margaret's, Westminster, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. 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.