Bainerhan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The roots of the ancient Scottish name Bainerhan are found among the people of a tribe known as the Picts. Bainerhan is a name for a person who was the standard bearer for the king. While the origin of this name is still somewhat in dispute, most references agree that the name is derived from the Old English word banere and the word man. The family claim that their progenitor was standard-bearer to Malcolm Ceanmore about 1070. 1

Early Origins of the Bainerhan family

The surname Bainerhan was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat at Clyntreys. The first of the name on record is Dovinaldus (Donald) Bannerman, King's Physician to King David II of Scotland in the year 1368, although traditionally the family claim that their progenitor was Standard Bearer to Malcolm Canmore in Scotland about the year 1070. 2

Early History of the Bainerhan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bainerhan research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1382, 1400, 1467, 1500 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Bainerhan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bainerhan Spelling Variations

The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Bainerhan has been spelled Bannerman, Bannaman, Bannermane, Banerman, Banermain, Bannermain and many more.

Early Notables of the Bainerhan family

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

Migration of the Bainerhan family

The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Bainerhan: John Bannerman landed in North America in 1766; William Bennerman settled in Virginia in 1635; Mark Benerman settled in St. Christopher in 1716.

The Bainerhan 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: Pro patria
Motto Translation: For my country.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)