Skip to main content

Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • English : possibly from bleak ‘pale’ (first attested in the 16th century, but probably a much older word, derived from Old Norse bleikr, a cognate of Old English blāc). The name John Bleke is recorded at Haddenham, near Ely, in 1585. However, the Low German or Dutch name Bleeke was introduced to England by a waterman recorded at Gravesend, Kent, in 1653, and this may account for some if not all examples of the name.

Join the Family

Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

Subscribe