Bearce History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Bearce is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in one of two towns called Birchill in the counties of Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Alternatively the family could have originated in the parish of Bircholt, in the union of East Ashford, franchise and barony of Bircholt, lathe of Shepway, E. division of Kent. 1 2

Early Origins of the Bearce family

The surname Bearce was first found in Cheshire, where John de Birchall de Birtles, of Gawsworth was first recorded in 1401. Later the Wills at Chester included entries for Richard Birchall, of Parr, webster, 1581; James Birchall, of Winwick; 1591; and Geoffrey Birchall, of Croft, in Winwick, 1614. 3

Early East Cheshire records show John de Birchall de Birtles, of Gawsworth, Cheshire, but no date is given. The Source Wills at Chester includes entries for Richard Birchall, of Parr, webster, 1581; James Birchall, of Winwick; 1591; and Geoffrey Birchall, of Croft, in Winwick, 1614. 3

Early History of the Bearce family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bearce research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1778, 1784 and 1805 are included under the topic Early Bearce History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bearce 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. Bearce has been spelled many different ways, including Birchall, Birchill, Birchalls, Birchills and many more.

Early Notables of the Bearce family

Distinguished members of the family include Robert Birchall, a London music-publisher said to have been apprenticed to Randall, the successor of Walsh who established a musical circulating library about 1784. Prior to which, he had been associated in business with Beardmore and also with Andrewes, successively at 129...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bearce Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bearce Ranking

In the United States, the name Bearce is the 17,457^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Bearce migration to the United States +

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 Bearces to arrive in North America:

Bearce Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Augustine Bearce, from Hampshire, aged 20, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Confidence", bound for Barnstable 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Bearce (post 1700) +

Lewis D. Bearce, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Maine, 1952 6
Herbert E. Bearce, American Republican politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Bozrah, 1926 6
H. W. Bearce, American Republican politician, Member of Maine State House of Representatives from Oxford County (4th), 1931-32 6
Edwin M. Bearce, American politician, Member of Minnesota State House of Representatives 11th District, 1857-58 6
Edna Bearce, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Maine, 1956 6

The Bearce 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: Quaerere verum
Motto Translation: To seek the truth.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html