Birnackle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancient roots of the Birnackle family name are in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Birnackle comes from when the family lived in Warwickshire, where they took their name from the hamlet of Barnacle in the parish of Bulkington, six miles from Coventry. 1

Early Origins of the Birnackle family

The surname Birnackle was first found in Warwickshire at Barnacle, a hamlet, in the parish of Bulkington, union of Nuneaton, Kirby division of the hundred of Knightlow. 2 "It is mentioned in the Conqueror's survey, and is supposed to have anciently belonged to the family of Fitzwith." 2 At that time it was spelt Bernhangre. 3 The place name literally means "wooded slope by a barn," from the Old English words "bere-aern" + "hangra." 4

Early History of the Birnackle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Birnackle research. Another 215 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1344, 1500 and 1545 are included under the topic Early Birnackle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Birnackle 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 Birnackle has appeared include Barnacle, Barnicle, Bernicle, Barnackle, Barnackell, Barnaucle and many more.

Early Notables of the Birnackle family

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

Migration of the Birnackle 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 Birnackle arrived in North America very early: John Barnacle who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)