Blackshear (surname)

Blackshear is a surname of English origin. It is believed to be derived from a place name, possibly in Cheshire or Lancashire, England. The name is thought to originate from the Old English elements "blæc" (black) and "scear" (a share or division of land). Thus, the name likely referred to someone who lived near a dark or black-colored division of land, such as a field or pasture.

Variants of the surname include Blackshaw, Blackshire, and Blackshore.

People with the surname Blackshear:

• James Stephens Blackshear (1790-1862): An American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from New York.
• Edward L. Blackshear (1861-1934): An American educator and the second president of Prairie View State Normal and Industrial College (now Prairie View A&M University).
• Several other individuals throughout history and in modern times have carried the Blackshear surname, often found in the United States.

The Blackshear name is relatively uncommon. Genealogical research can be helpful in tracing the history of families bearing the surname.