Blois

Recorded in many spellings including Blows, Blowes, Blois, Bloy, Bloyes and Bloyes, this unusual surname is probably of French origins. Recent research suggests that the original name holders came over at the Norman Invasion of 1066, and were from the town of Blois. King Stephen of England, who reigned from 1135 to 1154 was the Count of Blois, and probably had some influence on the surname popularity. The original spellings were Blois, Bloy or Bloys appears in the heraldic records but from the 15th century, the spelling seems to have developed the English forms of Blows or Blowes. This is quite usual as the language change in the early medieval period from French, which was used for speech, to what became known as "Middle English" created havoc in spelling. However it is also possible that the surname, at least in some cases, descends from the Anglo-Saxon "blawan" which would denote a horn playing musician or possibly the town crier, and in this respect William Le Blowerre appears in the Surrey Rolls for 1191. The heraldic registers give recordings which include a gentleman in the Arden Rolls of King Henry 111, (1216-1272) known as " The Castellan of Bloys," whilst Sir Runard de Bloy appears in the Nativity Roll of King Edward 1, and he is the first proven holder of the surname. Other recordings include Thomas Blois of Norton, Suffolk, in the Shirley Roll of King Edward 1V in 1462 , John Bloye, christened at the church of St Mary Botham, London, in 1557, and William Bloy, a witness at St Dunstans, Stepney, on Boxing Day, 1638. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Sir Runard de Bloy, which was dated 1290, in the hearaldic rolls and charters of the College of Arms, London, during the reign of King Edward 1st, known as "The hamnmer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307.