The name Bernam first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in any of the various places called Burnham in Buckinghamshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, or Suffolk. These place names derive from the Old English words burna or stream, and ham, or homestead.
Loading...
Early Origins of the Bernam family
The surname Bernam was first found in Herefordshire 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.
Loading...
Early History of the Bernam family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bernam research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1619 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Bernam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Loading...
Bernam Spelling Variations
One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Bernam has appeared include Burnham, Burnam and others.
Loading...
Early Notables of the Bernam family
More information is included under the topic Early Bernam Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Loading...
Migration of the Bernam family
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Bernam arrived in North America very early: Thomas Burnham, who came to Barbados in 1635; William Burnham, who arrived at St. Christopher in 1635; John Burnham, who arrived in Virginia in 1643; Thomas Burnham who settled in Hartford, Conn. in 1649, beginning a distinguished line in America.
England
