Family name origins & meanings
- English : habitational name from a place in West Yorkshire called Bland, the origin of which is uncertain. Possibly it is from Old English (ge)bland ‘storm’, ‘commotion’ (from blandan ‘to blend or mingle’), with reference to its exposed situation. The modern English adjective bland did not come into English (from Latin) until the 15th century, and is therefore unlikely to have given rise to surnames.
- French : nickname from Old French blant ‘flattering’ (Latin blandus).