A blanket is a large piece of soft cloth, but where did the word 'blanket' come from?

You should have clarified that he lived in Bristol, but was of Flemish ancestry and also that his family name was originally Blanquette.

Arohanui, Before the Industrial Revolution England imported most of it's artisans from Europe, or accepted them as refugees (Huguenots for example) in such trades as weaving,including tapestry, pottery and later porcelain,glass making and etching,and gold and silver smithing.

Don't know the answer but weaver is synonymous with blanket.