The ancestors of the Birnis family lived among the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. Their name is derived from the personal name Burnhouse, derived from the words burn, meaning "stream," and house, meaning a house.
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Early Origins of the Birnis family
The surname Birnis was first found in Cumberland, 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.
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Early History of the Birnis family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Birnis research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1495 and 1560 are included under the topic Early Birnis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Birnis Spelling Variations
The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Birnis has appeared as Burness, Burnes, Burnace, Burnice, Burnhouse, Burnshead, Burnish, Burnist, Bernis and many more.
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Early Notables of the Birnis family
More information is included under the topic Early Birnis Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Birnis family to Ireland
Some of the Birnis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Birnis family
As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: William Burnhouse settled in Virginia in 1623; Margaret Burness, who settled in East New Jersey in 1685; James Burness, who settled in America in 1815.
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.
England
Scotland
Ireland
