Blakemore
A surname of local origin, probably meaning someone from a place called Blakemere or Blackmore—literally, a dark moor or marsh.
The #9,884 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 94,389 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Blakemore is generally treated as a locational surname. The historical notes point to places such as Blakemere in Herefordshire and to Blackmore/Blackmoor place-names in England. The name likely combines Old English elements meaning "black" or "dark" with "mere" (lake, pool) or "moor" (moorland, marsh).
History
Medieval records show forms such as de Blakemore in the 13th century, which fits the usual English pattern of surnames formed from a person's place of origin. The surname later appears in several English counties, and by the late 19th century one source notes it as especially associated with Shropshire. Variant spellings include Blackmore, Blackmoore, and Blakemur.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
One historical note mentions a Shrewsbury painter named Blakemore who was paid in 1502 for a view of the town intended for Henry VII.
From the historical record
“^jndon. a, o, o ; JJanchesler, o, o. 1 ; Philadelphia, 0,1,0. Blakemore. — Local ; v. Black- Local, • of Blake- ney.' (i) X^ small seaport on the”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances