Bernard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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The surname Bernard is derived from the French personal name Bernard, making this surname a patronym, or derived from the name of a parent or other ancestor. This type of surname belongs to the category of surnames, known as hereditary surnames. Patronymic surnames arose out of the vernacular and religious given name traditions. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Vernacular names that were derived from ancient Germanic personal names have cognates in most European languages. For example, the court of Charlemagne (742-814) was Christian and Latin-speaking, but the Frankish dialect of Old German was commonly used for personal names. Vernacular names were widespread throughout Normandy. Accordingly, many typical English and French names are in fact, originally of Germanic origin. In some cases the exact same name appears in many other European countries. The personal name Bernard is derived from the Germanic name Bernhard, which is composed of the Old German elements bern, which meant bear, and hard, which meant hard or strong. The personal name therefore meant "as strong as a bear."

Early Origins of the Bernard family

The surname Bernard was first found in Provence, where the family has held a family seat since very early times.

Bernard (fl. 1093), of Neufmarché (de Novo-mercatii), "often called in English 'of Newmarch,' was the son of Geoffrey, son of Thurcytel, Lord of Neufmarché by the forest of Lions, and of Ada, daughter of Richard of Hugleville, famous for his faithfulness to his duke, William, in the war of Arques, and a grandson of Richard the Good by his daughter Papia. Bernard emigrated to England with the Conqueror, and his name appears as a witness to two charters granted by William to his abbey of Battle. " 1

However, not all of the family moved to England. By the 16th century this ancient family was well established and several members of this remarkable family were distinctive through their active contributions to the King, country, and fellowman and therefore were rewarded with lands, titles, and letters patent confirming their nobility.

Among these distinguished members was M. Bernard of Feissal who, in recognition of his achievement, both politically and culturally, acquired the title of Lord of the Tour Saint-Vincent.

Descending from the original line of Provence were several impressive members who received their letters of nobility, and their descendants maintained their noble status in 1668. Claude Bernard, 1813-1878 was a famous professor of Collége de France, wrote "Introduction to the study of experimental Medicine".

Participating extensively in the affairs of his community, Charles Bernard became a Counsellor at the Court of Aix and acknowledging his capabilities he was made the Leader of the Barristers of Nice from 1845 to 1915. In 1901 in recognition of all his impressive accomplishments Bernard was granted the title of a Roman Count.

Jean Bernard, born in 1638, son of Jean and Catherine (née Fauden), travelled from Tionville, Germany to New France in 1663. He settled on a farm in île d'Orléans, Quebec where he worked as a farmer and a wagon maker. He married Marie de Bure, daughter of Vincent and Suzanne (née Golin), in Quebec and on 27th December 1666. In February 1698, Jean was found dead from hypothermia on Saint-Pierre Lake. 2

Early History of the Bernard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bernard research. Another 46 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1615, 1651, 1658, 1662, 1687, 1712, 1718 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Bernard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bernard Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bernard, Bernerd, Bernat, Bernarde, Barnard, Bairnard, Burnard, Bernaurd and many more.

Early Notables of the Bernard family

Notable amongst the names at this time was

Bernard World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bernard is the 830th most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Bernard is ranked the 190th most popular surname with an estimated 19,415 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Bernard is the 110th popular surname. 5 France ranks Bernard as 2nd with 105,132 people. 6


Bernard migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bernard Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Bernard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Bernard Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Bernard Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Bernard migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bernard Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
Bernard Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Bernard Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Bernard migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Bernard Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Bernard migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bernard Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Bernard migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16
Bernard Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Bernard (post 1700) +


The Bernard 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: Fortitudo and mansuetudo
Motto Translation: The strength and gentleness


Suggested Readings for the name Bernard +
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