| Berkarte History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms Etymology of BerkarteWhat does the name Berkarte mean? The name Berkarte first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in Northern England where the term 'of the birk-head,' as in "the head of the birches" was derived. Thus the name literally means "dweller by the birch-covered headland." 1 The name is related to the names Birkenhead and Beckett 2 and was frequented in Cumberland and Lancashire. 1 The Birket is a tributary of the River Mersey, on the Wirral, Merseyside. Early Origins of the Berkarte familyThe surname Berkarte was first found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire where John de Birkhaved was listed in 1301. Later, John Birkehede was listed as a Freeman or York in 1442 and Henry Brikket, Byrkett was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1524. 1 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included an entry for Adam Birkeued. 2 Early History of the Berkarte familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Berkarte research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1425, 1503, 1507, 1573, 1607, 1623, 1634, 1636, 1638, 1646, 1650, 1653, 1666, 1700, 1703, 1746, 1838, 1908, 1929, 1958 and 1982 are included under the topic Early Berkarte History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Berkarte Spelling VariationsOne 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 Berkarte has appeared include Birket, Birkett, Bircket, Burkett, Birckett, Burket, Burkert and many more. Early Notables of the Berkarte familySir Anthony Birket of Beldorney Castle; Josiah Burchett (1666-1746), Secretary of the Admiralty in England; and William Burkitt (1650-1703), biblical expositor and vicar in Dedham, Essex, best known for his "Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament" published in 1700. 3
Baron Birkett, of Ulverston in the County Palatine of Lancaster, is a hereditary title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom... Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Berkarte Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Berkarte family to IrelandSome of the Berkarte family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Berkarte familyAt 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 Berkarte arrived in North America very early: David Birket who arrived in New York State in 1803; John Birkett settled in Virginia in 1650; Samuel Birkett settled in New England in 1750; Joe Burkett settled in Barbados in 1635.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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