An English surname, Blankenship comes from the term ’blenkinsop’ which was a region in northern England in the area of Northumberland. This came from the Old English term of ‘blenca’ which meant a hill or hill top. It also describes the occupation of placing planks for ships or bridges. Variations in spelling of Blankenship include Blenkinshipp, Blinkinsop, Blankensop, Blenkinshop, Blankenshaffen, Blinkinsops and Blenkenshipp. In England the concentration of Blankenship individuals is in the northern region, especially in Lancashire county.