Barkley History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe ancestors of the name Barkley date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Barkley family lived in the parish of Berkeley in the county of Gloucestershire. "This place, according to Sir Robert Atkyns, the historian of Gloucestershire, derives its name from the Saxon Beorc, a birch-tree, and Leas, a pasture; whence it has been inferred that the parish was formerly remarkable for the growth of birch-trees. It was always a place of considerable importance; and at a very early period it gave name to the great manor of Berkeley, which during the heptarchy was held of the crown, at £500. 17. 2. per annum, by Roger de Berkeley, a near relative of Edward the Confessor, and lord of Dursley, from whom the earliest authentic pedigree of the Berkeley family is deduced. Berkeley, notwithstanding the residence of the oldest branches of the family in their castle at Dursley. William the Conqueror, professing high regard for all the relatives of Edward the Confessor, granted the manor of Berkeley to Roger Berkeley, of Dursley, by whose descendants it was held till the reign of Henry II." 1 Early Origins of the Barkley familyThe surname Barkley was first found in Gloucestershire, where "this noble race descend from Thos, de Berkely, Lord of Berkeley castle, co. Gloucester, temp. Edward I., and fifth in lineal succession from Harding, a Dane of royal blood, and one of the companions of William the Conqueror. " 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included Egidius de Berkeleye, Oxfordshire; Seman de Berclawe, Cambridgeshire; and Maurice de Berkelay, Somerset. 3 Henry de Barcley and Helewys' de Berkele were listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. 4 Early History of the Barkley familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barkley research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1306, 1400, 1475, 1509, 1552, 1598, 1648, 1690, 1890 and 1924 are included under the topic Early Barkley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Barkley Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Barkley are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Barkley include: Barclay, Berkeley, Barcley, Berkely, Berkley and others. Early Notables of the Barkley familyAnother 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barkley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Barkley RankingIn the United States, the name Barkley is the 2,584th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 5 Migration of the Barkley family to IrelandSome of the Barkley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Barkley or a variant listed above: Barkley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Barkley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Barkley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Barkley Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Barkley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
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: Barkley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
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: In cruce spero Motto Translation: I trust in the cross.
|