Bareword History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Bareword

What does the name Bareword mean?

The name Bareword is derived from the Old English words "bere, weard," and literally means "keeper of the bear." 1 Another source postulates that as an occupational name, it was known as bearward, "the keeper of a bear for exhibition of tricks; one who travels from place to place with a bear." 2

Early Origins of the Bareword family

The surname Bareword was first found in Cambridgeshire, where Fulk le Bereward was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1208. Later Stephen Bereward was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275 and in London, Edward Bereward was listed there in 1356. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only one entry for the family, that of Michael le Bereward in Huntingdonshire. 2

Early History of the Bareword family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bareword research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1208, 1273, 1275, 1356, 1369 and 1594 are included under the topic Early Bareword History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bareword Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Bareword include Bearward, Beareward, Berewood, Berewoode, Bereward, Barwarde, Bearwoode, Bearwood and many more.

Early Notables of the Bareword family

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

Migration of the Bareword family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Bareword were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Harry Barward, who came to Harris County, TX in 1886.

Sources +

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)