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Blackman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blackman, Originally Blæcmann, is an Old English name meaning "dark-haired" or "dark-complexioned". The name was once given to Danish Vikings who settled in southern Scotland. It is also listed in the genealogy of the kings of Bernicia. Early on, it was commonly used as a first name. Variations: Blackmann, Blachman, Blackmun, Blackmon, Blakeman.

Depending on how the old Anglo-Saxon blaec or blac were translated, the surname could also have had the exact opposite meaning from the above. "Blaec" meant dark/swarthy while blac meant fair/pale. The spelling of both words and their meanings were often confused and, over time, became interchangeable.

In the United States at least, some eastern European immigrants in the early 20th century changed their surnames to "Blackman" as an Anglicisation of their original more conspicuously ethnic names, such as "Blechmann." .

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