The Bersword surname in Germany was created from the Germanic name Berswald, which is composed of the elements "bers," the Old Norse word for "bear," and "wald," which is a derivative of waldan and means "to govern."
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Early Origins of the Bersword family
The surname Bersword was first found in Westphalia, where this family became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. The members of the family were active citizens in the cities of Dortmund and Hamm.
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Early History of the Bersword family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bersword research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1577 and 1640 are included under the topic Early Bersword History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Bersword Spelling Variations
In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Bersword include Berswordt, Berswort, Bersworte, Berswordte, Bersword, Bersworde, Berswoert and many more.
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Early Notables of the Bersword family
Notables of the period with the name Bersword were
Johann von dem Berswordt (1577-1640), who spent many years researching the Genealogy of this Westphalian noble family
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Migration of the Bersword family
For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them: settlers who arrived and established themselves along the eastern coast of the United States and in Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Germany
