This surname is derived from a nickname. 'Blondel' or 'Blundel,' the blonde, a sobriquet of complexion, 'yellow-haired.' the French Blond or Blund (which see), with terminative 'el' as in Russell and Burnell, all names of the same class. 'le Blund' was the English register form; hence Blundell is more common than Blondell. A like change is seen in other colour names found also as personal names; compare Brown, Burnell, and Burnett.

Walter Blundel, Oxfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Geoffrey Blondel, Huntingdonshire, ibid.

Geoffrey Blundel, Leicestershire, Henry III—Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

Nicholas Blundel, Lancashire, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

Robert Blundell, Bedfordshire, ibid.

Amicia Blondelle. History of Norfolk.

Theodora Blundell, Pat. Roll, 2 Elizabeth Boneface Blondell, or Blundell, 1456: Register of the University of Oxford.

Blondel de Nesle is reputed to have been the faithful minstrel of Richard Coeur de Lion.

Three names of complexion, Russell, Plunket, and Blundell, have made themselves conspicuous amongst English county families.

= Blund or Blond (q.v.) + the French diminutive suff. -el.

Jordan Blundel.—Mun. Gildh. Lond. Blundel occurs in the copies of the Roll of Battle Abbey as being the name of a companion of William I. in the invasion of England.

Blondel well-known in France, in both ancient and modem times, and rendered romantic by the fidelity of Blondel de Nesle, the minstrel of Cceur de Lion, is a personal name-a diminutive of Blond, fair-haired or light-complexioned. As an Eng, surname it dates beyond the XIV, cent.

(Northen French) From Blund or Blond, fair—haired, and having the same signification, only in a lesser degree. Blundell, a little fair—haired, so Russell, from Rous—red.

From the French, Blondel; a personal name Robert Blundel in Rotuli de Oblatis et Finibus, King John

Blundell is also a Lancashire name, and reference to it will be found under that county. The Blundells of Cardington and elsewhere in the county of Bedfordshire, were an influential family during last century; and one of them served as high sheriff in 1731 (H.).

Blundell: The Blundells were an ancient and distinguished family of Crosby Hall in Sefton parish two centuries ago; they held extensive property in that parish as far back as the reign of Henry III. (B.). They are still seated in the parish of Sefton, but reside now at Blundell Hall in Ince Blundell. Richard Blundell of this county contributed £25 to the Spanish Armada Fund in 1588 (Sp.). Bryan Blundell was mayor of Liverpool in 1721 and 1728 (B. L.). Blundel is an ancient name in other parts of England, having been represented in Shropshire, Oxfordshire, and Bucks, in the 13th century (H. R.). The name is also now represented, though scantily, in Beds. Blundellsands is a place in Lancashire.