Berne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Berne family came to North America quite early:

Berne Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Clough Berne, aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe" 3
• John Berne, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1651 3

Berne Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Wilhelm Berne, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 3

Berne Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Mathew Berne, who landed in New York in 1844 3

Berne Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Thomas Berne, a coach-smith, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
• Mr. Patrick Berne, (b. 1818), aged 20, Irish labourer who was convicted in Roscommon, Ireland for 15 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 29th December 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4

Berne Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. Jeremiah Berne, (b. 1829), aged 45, Irish farm labourer from County Cork travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 5
• Mrs. Catherine Berne, (b. 1829), aged 45, Irish settler from County Cork travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 5
• Mr. Daniel Berne, (b. 1858), aged 16, Welsh labourer from Pembrokeshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 5
• Miss Mary Berne, (b. 1861), aged 13, Irish servant from County Cork travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 5

• Robert Matthew Berne (b. 1918), American professor of psychology, specializing in cardiovascular psychology
• John Berne Hannum (1915-2007), American jurist, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (1984-2007), Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (1969-1984)
• Berne Reinhardt, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Christiansand, 1898 6