This interesting and unusual name derives from the Olde English 'blenc' meaning a trick or stratagem and was originally applied as a nickname to a rather wily character or artificer. A name of which the first possessor was, no doubt, proud because he passed it on to his descendants. The final 'h' was added to the name in the late 12th century. One Thomas Blench is recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire (1179). This spelling survives without variation to date. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Rogert Blenc. which was dated 1153 - Records Society of Norfolk. during the reign of King Stephen 1135 - 1154. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.