Show ContentsBarnable History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Barnable

What does the name Barnable mean?

Barnable is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Barnable family lived in Devon, where they had been granted lands after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name literally means of Barnstaple which is a port or market town in Devon.

Early Origins of the Barnable family

The surname Barnable was first found in Devon, where they had been granted lands after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Barnable family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnable research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barnable History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnable Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Barnable has been recorded under many different variations, including Barnstable, Bastable, Bastaple, Barnstaple, Bernstaple, Bearnstable, Barnstagle, Barnstabell, Barstable and many more.

Early Notables of the Barnable family

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

Migration of the Barnable family to Ireland

Some of the Barnable 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.


Barnable migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Barnables were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Barnable Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Barnable, who arrived in Virginia in 1620 1
Barnable Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Patrick Barnable, aged 40, who landed in Missouri in 1847 1


The Barnable Motto +

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: Regardez mort
Motto Translation: Regard the dead.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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