Show ContentsBarnish History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A people of the Scottish/English Borderlands known as the Strathclyde Britons were the first to use the name Barnish. It is derived from the personal name Burnhouse, derived from the words burn, meaning "stream," and house, meaning a house.

Early Origins of the Barnish family

The surname Barnish was first found in Cumberland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Barnish family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnish research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1495 and 1560 are included under the topic Early Barnish History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnish Spelling Variations

In the era before dictionaries, there were no rules governing the spelling or translation of names or any other words. Consequently, there are an enormous number of spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names. Barnish has appeared as Burness, Burnes, Burnace, Burnice, Burnhouse, Burnshead, Burnish, Burnist, Bernis and many more.

Early Notables of the Barnish family

More information is included under the topic Early Barnish Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Barnish family to Ireland

Some of the Barnish family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barnish family

The freedom, opportunity, and land of the North American colonies beckoned. There, Scots found a place where they were generally free from persecution and where they could go on to become important players in the birth of new nations. Some fought in the American War of Independence, while others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these Scottish settlers have been able to recover their lost national heritage in the last century through highland games and Clan societies in North America. Among them: William Burnhouse settled in Virginia in 1623; Margaret Burness, who settled in East New Jersey in 1685; James Burness, who settled in America in 1815.


Contemporary Notables of the name Barnish (post 1700) +

  • Leonard Barnish, British architect, co-designer of the Southport War Memorial, London Square, Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside, England in 1932
  • Tom Barnish, English musician, best known for his trombone work for Biting Tongues


The Barnish Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Perseverantia vincit
Motto Translation: Perseverance conquers


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