Show ContentsBarnson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Barnson family

The surname Barnson was first found in Suffolk at Barnardiston, a parish, in the union and hundred of Risbridge. "This parish, which comprises by computation 1500 acres, was originally the seat of, and gave name to, the family of Barnardiston, long resident in the adjoining parish of Kedington." 1

At one time the family held estates and a family seat in Kedington (or Ketton) in Essex. Kedlington Hall which is located there "was for many generations the residence of the Barnardiston family." 1

Early History of the Barnson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnson research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1501, 1510, 1535, 1578, 1588, 1600, 1618, 1620, 1641, 1653, 1666, 1667, 1669 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Barnson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnson Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Barnson include Barnariston, Barnardeston, Barnardston, Bernardston, Bernardeston, Barneston, Barniston, Barmston, Bernardiston and many more.

Early Notables of the Barnson family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas Barneston who was made a Knight of the Sword in 1501 at the marriage of Prince Arthur. Sir Thomas Bernardeston was knighted in 1578. Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston (1588-1653), was an English Puritan and opponent of the government of Charles I. He was "descended from an ancient Suffolk family which took its name from the little village of Barnardiston, or Barnston, near Ketton, or Kedington, where its chief estates lay. The family pedigree goes back to the time of Richard I, and the line of...
Another 91 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barnson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barnson family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Barnson were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Alfred Barnston, aged 4, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1920; Henry Barnston, aged 52, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1920; and Ruth Barnston, aged 31, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1920..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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