Barnsdall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Barnsdall first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived at or near the granary or barn in the valley. The first part of the surname Barnsdall is derived from the Old English word barn, which refers to a barn or granary house. The word barn itself was originally derived from the Old English words bern, which mean barley, and oern, which means house. The last portion of the name is derived from the Old English word doel, which means valley or dale.

Early Origins of the Barnsdall family

The surname Barnsdall was first found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Barnsdall family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnsdall research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1530, 1540, 1545, 1550, 1551, 1554, 1556, 1568, 1608 and 1637 are included under the topic Early Barnsdall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnsdall Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Barnsdall has appeared include Barnsdale, Barnesdale, Barndale and others.

Early Notables of the Barnsdall family

Notables of the family at this time include William Baronsdale (d. 1608), English physician, was born in Gloucestershire, probably about 1530-1540. "He was educated at St. John's College...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barnsdall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barnsdall family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Barnsdall arrived in North America very early: Christopher Barnsdale who settled in Virginia in 1642.

Contemporary Notables of the name Barnsdall (post 1700) +

Louise Aline Barnsdall (1882-1946), American oil heiress, client of Frank Lloyd Wright and his design of her Hollyhock House in Los Angeles
Mr. Nathaniel Barnsdall, British sheriff, held the joint position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1828 to 1829
Mr. N. Barnsdall, British sheriff, held the joint position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1818 to 1819