Show ContentsBarnetson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Barnetson Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Barnetson

What does the name Barnetson mean?

The name Barnetson is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived on or near land cleared for cultivation by burning off the forest.

The name may also have been patronymic as in "'the son of Bernard,' or 'Barnard.' The Cistercian monk gave a wonderful impetus in the 13th century to this name, already popular. A large number of Bernards sprang up in Furness after the Abbey came under the Bernardino rule." 1

Early Origins of the Barnetson family

The surname Barnetson was first found in Herefordshire at Chipping Barnet, a parish, town, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Cashio. "This place, called also High Barnet, from its situation on the summit of a hill, derives its distinguishing name from the privilege granted to the monks of St. Alban's, of holding a market here. On April 5th, 1471, the decisive battle which terminated in the defeat and death of the Earl of Warwick, and established Edward IV. on the throne, took place on Gladmore Heath, a mile north-west of the town." 2

Barnet by the Wold is a parish, in the union of Glandford-Brigg, S. division of the wapentake of Yarborough, parts of Lindsey, Lincolnshire, East Barnet is a parish, in the union of Barnet, hundred of Cashio, Herefordshire and Fryern Barnet is a parish, in the union of Barnet, Finsbury division of the hundred of Ossulstone, county of Middlesex. "It is supposed that an abbey anciently existed here from which the place obtained the prefix to its name, and that the old manor-house, now taken down, was the summer residence of the abbots. " 2

The singular name Bernadus was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 in Huntingdonshire. 3 A few years later, it appeared again in Norfolk (1101-1116.) 4

With a forename, one the earliest records was that of John Barnet (d. 1373), an English bishop successively of Worcester, Bath and Wells, and Ely, and was chaplain to Thomas Lisle. 5

Early History of the Barnetson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnetson research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1760, 1799, 1806, 1807, 1816, 1820, 1836 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Barnetson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnetson Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Barnetson 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. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Barnetson include: Barnett, Barnette, Barnet and others.

Early Notables of the Barnetson family

James Barnett (c. 1760-1836), an English banker and Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons and a Member of Parliament for Rochester (1806-1807) and (1816-1820.) Thomas Barnett (1799-1890), born in Birmingham, England, moved to Canada in the 1820s to become a museum proprietor...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barnetson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barnetson family to Ireland

Some of the Barnetson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barnetson family

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 Barnetson or a variant listed above: John Barnett who settled in Virginia in 1620; Robert Barnett who settled in Virginia in 1653; Richard Barnett who settled in Virginia in 1652; and many more. In Newfoundland, Andrew Barnet settled in St. John'.

  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print

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