Surname Blair - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing My Scottish Roots: A DNA Analysis Journey at iGENEA as a Blair

As a Blair, my plunge into iGENEA's DNA analysis provided absorbing insights into my rich Scottish ancestral roots. From Gaelic origins to possible connections with ancient Briton, the test unveiled a detailed lineage that went beyond my known history in the United States, broadening my understanding of my surname.

P. Blair

Blair: What does the surname Blair mean?

The surname Blair is of Scottish and Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic word "blàr," which means "plain" or "field." It originated as a topographic name for families living near a battlefield or open plain. Over time, it became a surname, often attached to those who lived on or near such significant fields. The first known use of Blair as a surname dates back to ancient Scottish history, with the Blairs of Blair in Ayrshire being among the most prominent families carrying this moniker. Their family seat was even named Blair, pointing to their significant connection with this region. Besides its geographical significance, the name also bears historical importance, with numerous notable bearers in politics, entertainment, sports, and other fields. Today, Blair is a widely-used surname in Scotland, Ireland, and other parts of the English-speaking world.

Blair: Where does the name Blair come from?

The surname Blair is of Scottish origin. It was originally derived from the Scottish Gaelic "blàr," meaning "plain" or "field," signifying someone who resided near a battlefield. It originates from numerous places named Blair throughout Scotland. Notably, it is linked to a town called Blair in Ayrshire, Blair Atholl in Perthshire, and Blairgowrie in Kinross.

Today, the surname Blair is spread across various parts of the world due to Scottish emigration in the past centuries. It is prevalent in nations where the Scottish traditionally migrated in significant numbers, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, it still has a significant prevalence in Scotland. There is also a fair incidence of the name in Northern Ireland due to Scottish migration during the plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. Furthermore, it gained international recognition because of notable people like former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Variations of the surname Blair

The surname Blair is of Scottish origin and the spellings may differ depending on the country and region. Some of the known variations and similar surnames of Blair include Blare, Blaire, Blayer, Blarr, Blear, Bleare, and Blayr.

The surname Blair was first found in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. It can be referred to as a locational surname, denoting someone who lived near a field or plain. In Gaelic, Blair translates to "field" or "plain". Some believe that the surname may be originated from the name of Blair village in Perthshire, Scotland.

As a Scottish name, Blair is often augmented with additional hereditary surnames, becoming part of many hyphenated or compound names. Examples include Blair-Fowlkes, Blair-Ewing, Blair-Imrie, Blair-Oliphant, Blair-MacNaughton, and others.

Despite these variants, the spelling "Blair" seems to be the most common and widely used globally, by notable people such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Due to migration and globalization, one may find bearers of the Blair surname in many countries including the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Famous people with the name Blair

• Tony Blair: Former British Prime Minister known for his significant role in global politics, and leadership during the Iraq War.
• Selma Blair: An American actress who has starred in several popular Hollywood movies such as "Cruel Intentions" and "Legally Blonde".
• Linda Blair: Known for her role in the horror film "The Exorcist", Linda Blair is an American actress and animal rights activist.
• Lionel Blair: A British actor, choreographer, tap dancer and television presenter, who hosted many popular TV shows.
• Bonnie Blair: A retired American speed skater, Bonnie Blair is considered one of the best in her field, and has won multiple Olympic gold medals.
• Jayson Blair: A former reporter for The New York Times, he is known for a plagiarism scandal that led to his resignation.
• Francis Preston Blair: A 19th century American journalist and politician. He was a prominent Back Republican and an adviser to President Lincoln.
• Duncan Blair: A former Scottish rugby player who represented Scotland in multiple international championships.
• DeJuan Blair: An American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs, among other teams.
• Eric Blair: The real name of George Orwell, author of "1984" and "Animal Farm".

Other surnames

BlaichBlaicherBlaikelyBlaikeyBlaikleyBlaisBlaise