My ancestors - Blennerhassett - Contents

Blennerhassett of Co.Kerry

I descend from the Cashel family, who descend from the Blennerhassett family of Ireland, though from what branch is not clear. This is my possible connection to the western family tree. See graph summary of the evidence so far.

• References:
  • Blennerhassett family tree, by Bill Jehan, ongoing since 1968. Old copy in [KCL] RR.
    • search

  • BLENNERHASSETT in [Burkes Irish, 1976] by Brian Fitzelle
  • BLENNERHASSETT in [Burkes Peerage]
  • BLENNERHASSETT in [Foster's Peerage, 1881]
  • BLENNERHASSETT in [King]

  • Ms sources:
    • Black Jack's Book
    • "Blennerhassett Pedigrees", a book compiled by [unidentified, grandson or granddau of Frances Blennerhassett and Rev. Jemmett Browne], original was in possession of Hilda Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy, [NLI] microfilm POS 3887.
    • BLENNERHASSETT in [Rowan, 1846]
    • Rowan Papers in [NLI Ms], Ms 20621: "Genealogical notes and pedigrees mainly re the family of Denny of Co. Kerry, also re the families of Blennerhassett and Conway, c.1909."

  • English branch:
    • "The Blennerhassetts of Kerry: Earlier English Stock", Kerry Archaeological Magazine, July 1919, vol.5 no.21 p.34-9. This is a summary, by "S.M." and James Franklin Fuller, of a 50 page Ms written by David Elisha Davy. This Ms is in the Davy collection, [BL] Add. Ms. 19118, folio 348-67. It is NOT with the Fuller papers in the [RIA].

Blennerhassett arms on Ballyseedy House.
Photo apparently 2008. From Bill Jehan.
See also arms from Bill Jehan's site.

The family takes its name from the village of Blennerhasset (thus spelt now), on the River Ellen, E of Aspatria, Allerdale district, Cumbria (formerly Cumberland), N England (nr Scottish border). See map.
The family took their name from this place but they did not have lands there (or at least, not since 12th cent).
Their main lands were at Carlisle, Cumbria:

Richard de Blennerhassett,
of Carlisle, N Cumbria,
mar Joan Skelton [dau of Sir Clement Skelton by his wife Joan de Orton, dau of Sir Gyles de Orton, of Great Orton],
she was co-heiress of Great Orton, just W of Carlisle, Cumbria (see map),
she died 1450,
had issue:

1. John de Blennerhassett,
   of Great Orton, Cumbria, eldest son,
   Mayor of Carlisle, various dates 1430-55.
   Ancestor of:
   1. John Blennerhassett,
      of Flimby Hall, Flimby (thus spelt now), on coast, S of Maryport, W Cumbria,
      Manor of Flimby purchased 1547,
      died 1578,
      had issue:
      1. Thomas Blennerhassett,
         of Flimby Hall, Flimby, Cumbria,
         claimed in 1578 the advowson of the Rectory of Great Orton, Cumbria, as co-heir of Sir Gyles de Orton,
         MP for City of Carlisle for various dates in 1584 to 1611,
         granted Ballycarty in Ballyseedy par, Co.Kerry,
         ancestor of Blennerhassett of Co.Kerry.
         Almost all male line Blennerhassetts in the world today seem to descend from the Irish branch. The Cumbria male line seems extinct.

   
   

2. Sir Ralph de Blennerhassett, Kt..

Blennerhasset village, Cumbria.
Click to toggle map/satellite view. Click to zoom in/out. Drag to move.
From Google Maps.

---

• Blennerhassett surname discussion forum
• Blennerhassett surname discussion forum (or via here)

• Blennerhassett genealogy and p.2 and p.3 by Peter Barns-Graham

• Dwyer and Laye genealogies by Patrick Paskiewicz
  • Blennerhassett
  • O'Connor and Denny

• Gilbert (of Gilbert and Sullivan)
  • The Bab Ballads (verse)
    • The Mystic Selvagee - The main character is "Sir Blennerhasset Portico" (thus spelt).

• There is a letter, "How the Emerald Isle was turned blue" (and here), in the Financial Times, 22/23 Mar 2008, referencing a supposed "Letitia Blennerhassett". Note that this is a Flann O'Brien-style joke letter by a friend of mine. It is entirely made up.

Hassett

• The name is sometimes found shortened to "Hassett".
• There is a legend that the name came from a Blenner marrying a Hassett, but this is nonsense.
• There is also a legend that the name derives from Blenheim. This is also nonsense.

• Hassett surname discussion forum

• Hassett
  • Co.Kerry records