When the ancestors of the Barnsly family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Worcestershire and Yorkshire, where they held an ancient seat and estates.
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Early Origins of the Barnsly family
The surname Barnsly was first found in Gloucestershire and South Yorkshire at Barnsley. Of the locales, the town in Yorkshire is by far the larger originating in the historic West Riding of Yorkshire. This town dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Berneslai. However, the Gloucestershire parish which was originally part of historic Lancashire dates back further to 802 when it was listed as Bearmodeslea. It too was listed in the Domesday Book but had a different spelling of Bernesleis. Both locales were derived from the Old English personal name + "leah" and literally meant "woodland clearing of a man called Beornmod (Beorn)." 1 The family is conjecturally descended from a Norman noble Ilbert de Lacy who settled in the village of Barnsley in the West Riding of Yorkshire at the time of the Norman Conquest. Ilbert was Lord of the Manor of Barnsley.
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Early History of the Barnsly family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnsly research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1550 is included under the topic Early Barnsly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Barnsly Spelling Variations
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Barnsly has been recorded under many different variations, including Barnsley, Barnsely, Barnseley, Barnsly and others.
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Early Notables of the Barnsly family
More information is included under the topic Early Barnsly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Barnsly family
To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Barnslys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Richard Barnssley and his wife who settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766.
England
