James Blackett was baptised in St. Ninians, Stirlingshire, Scotland in 1727, the son of Malcolm Blackett and Jennet Cairns. However, on the marriage of his parents in 1726 his father was described as Malcolm Blackater, lawful son to Malcolm Blackater and over subsequent generations the surname varies between Blackett, Blacketer and Blackadder with slight variations.
Blackadder is a name frequently encountered in Scotland, including instances predating Malcolm's marriage and it is not known if the family of James Blackett descend from a branch of the Blacketts who had settled in Scotland. For a descendency chart of Malcolm (Blackater) Blackett please click here.