Berne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Germany

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Early Origins of the Berne family

The surname Berne was first found in Berne, Switzerland, where the family is considered to have made a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development of Europe. Founded by Duke Berthold V of Zaehringen (in the Black Forest) in 1191, Berne became a Free City in 1218. Against the invading armies of Rudolph of Habsburg, Berne successfully defended itself and joined the Swiss Confederation in 1353. Berne retains its mediaeval character to this day, and has been the capital of Switzerland since 1848. The majority of its inhabitants speak German and are Protestants, a religious heritage left over from the time of the Reformation. The name comes from the German "Baeren" (bears) and a bear still appears on the city's coat of arms. Other branches bearing this name stemmed from the town Berna in Lusatia. The first individual bearers of this name to be mentioned in ancient chronicles include Bernerus miles de Wil, who was born in Zuerich in 1259.

Early History of the Berne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Berne research. Another 320 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1371, 1400, 1590, 1636, 1683 and 1778 are included under the topic Early Berne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Berne Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bern, Berne, Bernn, Bernne, Berns, Bernes, Bernert, Baern, Boern and many more.

Early Notables of the Berne family

Notables of the time with the surname Berne were

Justus Friedrich von Berner (d.1778), who was Privy Councillor and Administrative Vice-President in Kassel...

Berne Ranking

In France, the name Berne is the 1,624^th most popular surname with an estimated 3,688 people with that name. 1

Berne migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Berne Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Clough Berne, aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe" 2
John Berne, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1651 2

Berne Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Wilhelm Berne, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 2

Berne Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mathew Berne, who landed in New York in 1844 2

Berne migration to Australia +

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

Berne Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Thomas Berne, a coach-smith, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. Patrick Berne, (b. 1818), aged 20, Irish labourer who was convicted in Roscommon, Ireland for 15 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 29th December 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3

Berne 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:

Berne Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Jeremiah Berne, (b. 1829), aged 45, Irish farm labourer from County Cork travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 4
Mrs. Catherine Berne, (b. 1829), aged 45, Irish settler from County Cork travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 4
Mr. Daniel Berne, (b. 1858), aged 16, Welsh labourer from Pembrokeshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 4
Miss Mary Berne, (b. 1861), aged 13, Irish servant from County Cork travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Berne (post 1700) +

Robert Matthew Berne (b. 1918), American professor of psychology, specializing in cardiovascular psychology
John Berne Hannum (1915-2007), American jurist, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (1984-2007), Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (1969-1984)
Berne Reinhardt, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Christiansand, 1898 5