Show ContentsBarmston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Barmston family

The surname Barmston 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 Barmston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barmston 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 Barmston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barmston Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Barmston has been spelled many different ways, including Barnariston, Barnardeston, Barnardston, Bernardston, Bernardeston, Barneston, Barniston, Barmston, Bernardiston and many more.

Early Notables of the Barmston 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 Barmston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barmston family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Barmstons to arrive in North America: 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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