Show ContentsBarnhart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Barnhart

What does the name Barnhart mean?

The prestigious family surname Barnhart originated in the territory that eventually became the German state of Prussia. In the 19th century, this state was virtually unrivalled militarily, and its rapid industrial growth made it a contender for economic superiority in Europe as well. However, in the medieval era, Prussia was fragmented and inhabited by numerous barbarian tribes, who fought amongst themselves for control of the land. The borders of the barbarian kingdoms, which were established after the fall of the Roman Empire, changed repeatedly. The region that came to be known as Prussia was roughly divided between the territories of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia and East Prussia. The Barnhart family emerged in Brandenburg-Prussia, which is essentially the birthplace of modern Germany. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Barnhart family

The surname Barnhart was first found in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg, and throughout the lands that would later form the Prussian Empire, where the name became noted for its many branches, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the regions. In their later history the name became a power unto themselves and was elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family. In its mediaeval context, the literal meaning of the name was "baerenkuehn," that is, "bear-brave." The name began its rise to prominence as one of the most popular first names of northern Germany in the Middle Ages before becoming firmly grounded as a surname.

Early History of the Barnhart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnhart research. Another 219 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1604, 1612, 1623, 1639, 1692, 1728, 1760, 1762, 1763, 1769, 1787, 1810, 1818 and 1820 are included under the topic Early Barnhart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnhart Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Barnhart include Bernhard, Bernhardi (Alemannic), Bernhardy (Latin genetive form found along Rhine and Danube rivers), Bernardt, Bernhardt, Bernehard, Bernehardt and many more.

Early Notables of the Barnhart family

Duke Bernhard of Saxen-Weimar (1604-1639), who was a celebrated general in the Thirty Years' War. He was born in 1604 in Weimar as the eleventh son of John, duke of Saxen-Weimar. At the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War he took the field on the Protestant side. Because of his contribution to Protestantism in Germany and his bravery shown on the battlefield Bernhard he was regarded by German Protestants as the savior of their religion. Christoph Bernhard, capellmeister at Dresden; son of a poor sailor; born at Dantzic, 1612. He was so poor as to sing from door to door to...
Another 153 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barnhart Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnhart Ranking

the United States, the name Barnhart is the 1,862nd most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 1


Barnhart migration to the United States +

The state of Prussia was a great influence on the shape of modern Germany. After the Second World War, Prussia's land was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany and the state was abolished. Some Prussians remained in those countries after the war, while many others migrated to North America in search of a new start. Philadelphia was their primary point of entry to the United States, after which many of them moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. A large number of Prussians also migrated to Ontario and the prairie provinces as United Empire Loyalists. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Barnharts to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Barnhart Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johannes Barnhart, who arrived in New York in 1706 2
  • Agnes Marg Barnhart, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
  • Hans Peter Barnhart, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1737 2
  • Johan Stepn Barnhart, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1737 2
  • John William Barnhart, who landed in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in 1742 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Barnhart Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jacob Barnhart, who arrived in Maryland in 1840 2
  • L Barnhart, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
  • R Barnhart, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
  • Charles Barnhart, aged 23, who arrived in New York, NY in 1852 2
  • Teunis Barnhart, who arrived in Iowa in 1856 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barnhart migration to Canada +

Barnhart Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Sgt. Charles Barnhart, "Barnhardt" U.E. (b. 1760) born in East Campbell, New York, USA who settled in Fredericksburgh, Cataraqui township, [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1783 he served in the Kings Royal Regiment of New York was married to Catherine Forshee "Fosyuar" in 1789 they had 9 children, he died in 1864 in Brockville, Ontario 3
  • Sgt. George Barnhart U.E. (b. 1737) born in Loonenburg, Greene, New York, USA from Pentacton, Ulster County, USA who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 enlisted in 1780 in the King's Royal Regiment of New York after serving in Turloch Militia under Captain Jacob Miller, he married Catherine Sharpstone they had 14 children, he died in 1811 3
  • Mrs. Catherine Barnhart U.E who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 daughter of Lt. Jacob Sharpstone U.E. married to Sgt. George Barnhart 3
  • Mr. Jacob Barnhart U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 son of George Barnhart 3
  • Mr. John Barnhart, "Barnhardt" U.E. from Dutchess County, New York, USA who settled in Home District, [Niagara], Lincoln County, Ontario c. 1783 served as part of the King's Royal Regiment of New York he had one daughter 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Barnhart (post 1700) +

  • Victor Dee Barnhart (1922-2017), American professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1944 to 1946
  • Katie Barnhart, American pair skater
  • Phyllis Barnhart (1922-2008), American animator and cel painter
  • Scotty Barnhart, one of the modern American masters of jazz trumpet
  • Edgar Vernon Barnhart (1904-1984), American professional professional baseball pitcher
  • Keith Lee Barnhart (b. 1962), American composer, keyboardist and audio engineer
  • Frank A. Barnhart, American actor, producer, director, and college professor
  • Leslie Earl Barnhart (1905-1971), American Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Daniel High "Dan" Barnhart (b. 1912), American football tailback
  • ... (Another 27 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X


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