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![Show Contents]() Bernnart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Strongbownian invaders added their Norman conventions for surnames to the previously established Irish system for hereditary surnames. One of the most frequent forms of surnames for both cultures was the patronymic surname, which was formed from the name of the bearer's father or grandfather. The Norman tradition that the followers of Strongbow brought with them created such a surname through diminutive suffixes such as -ot, -et, -un, -in, or -el. Occasionally, two suffixes were combined to form a double diminutive, as in the combinations of -el-in, -el-ot, -in-ot, and -et-in. The Normans also formed patronymic surnames in a manner very similar to the Irish: they added a prefix to their father's name. These Anglo-Norman people, however, used the prefix Fitz-, which was derived from the French word fils, and ultimately from the Latin filius, which both mean son. Although this prefix probably originated in Flanders or Normandy, it can now only be found in Ireland. The surname Bernnart is derived from the Germanic personal name Bernhard, which consists of the elements ber or bern, which mean bear, and hard, which means brave, handy, or strong. Early Origins of the Bernnart familyThe surname Bernnart was first found in Westmorland, where they had been granted lands by King William for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Sir Theophilus, a Norman knight, who assisted William the Conqueror in the conquest of England was succeeded by his son, Sir Dorbard, who took the surname Bernard. Sir Dorbard's descendants settled at Acornbank in the county of Westmorland, but stayed in good favor with the royalty. In 1172 King Henry II took Robert Fitz Bernard with him to Ireland, in the invasion of Ireland, and entrusted to his care the counties of Wexford and Waterford. Fulk Baynard (fl. 1226), was an early Itinerant Justice, seated at Merton, Norfolk, and was specially constituted a justice for a single occasion in November 1226. 1 Robert Baynard (d. 1331), son of Fulk Baynard, was a judge and was elected knight of the shire for Norfolk several times between 1289 and 1327. 1 Early History of the Bernnart familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bernnart research. Another 268 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1115, 1148, 1320, 1641, 1672, 1683, 1685, 1693, 1697, 1702, 1738, 1764, 1768 and 1903 are included under the topic Early Bernnart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bernnart Spelling VariationsChurch officials and medieval scribes spelled names as they sounded; therefore, single person, could have his name spelt many different ways during their lifetime. While investigating the origins of the name Bernnart, many spelling variations were encountered, including: Bernard, Barnard, Bernyrd, Barnerd, Barnart, Barnert, Barnarde and many more. Early Notables of the Bernnart familyNotable amongst the family up to this time was Ann Baynard (1672-1697), a British natural philosopher and model of piety.
John Barnard (fl. 1641), was an English musician, of whose life nothing else is known and was a minor canon of St. Paul's in the reign of Charles I. "He was the first who made a collection of cathedral music, and it is through his most valuable collection that some of the finest specimens of the English school of the sixteenth century have been preserved. " 1
John Barnard or...
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bernnart Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bernnart familyIreland went through one of the most devastating periods in its history with the arrival of the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. Many also lost their lives from typhus, fever and dysentery. And poverty was the general rule as tenant farmers were often evicted because they could not pay the high rents. Emigration to North America gave hundreds of families a chance at a life where work, freedom, and land ownership were all possible. For those who made the long journey, it meant hope and survival. The Irish emigration to British North America and the United States opened up the gates of industry, commerce, education and the arts. Early immigration and passenger lists have shown many Irish people bearing the name Bernnart: Nathanill Bernard, who arrived in St. Christopher in 1635; Francis Bernard, who came to Virginia in 1665; James Bernard, a servant sent to Virginia in 1662.
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: Virtus probata florebit
Motto Translation: Tried virtue will flourish.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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Ireland
England
