About the name

BLENNERHASSETT the surname is of northern English locational

origin from a place thus called in Cumberland. Recorded variously

as Blendherseta and Blennerheiseta in the 1188 Pipe Rolls of that

county, and as Blenerheyset in the 1235 Fine Court Rolls, the

place was so named from the Celtic language "blaen", hill or top,

plus "dre", a farm or settlement. Later, the Old Norse element

"heysaetr", hay shieling, was added to the name. Members of this

family have represented Carlisle in Parliament from the reign of

Richard 11, (1377-1399). Early recordings of the surname include

Thomas Blennerhasset of Carlisle (1398), and Henry Blanerhasset

- "The Register of the Freemen of York City", (1495). Sir Edward

Blennerhassett was a leading undertaker in the Plantation of

Ulster, and a family of the name became established in Co. Kerry

towards the end of Elizabeth 1's reign. In 1878, they held over

12,621 acres in Ballyseedy near Tralee. The first recorded spelling

of the family name is shown to be that of Alan de Blenerhayset,

mayor of Carlisle, which was dated 1382, "Cumberland County

Records", during the reign of King Richard 11, "Richard of

Bordeaux", 1377 - 1399.