Barnstaple History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Barnstaple is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Barnstaple family lived in Devon, where they had been granted lands after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name literally means of Barnstaple which is a port or market town in Devon.

Early Origins of the Barnstaple family

The surname Barnstaple was first found in Devon, where they had been granted lands after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Barnstaple family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnstaple research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barnstaple History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnstaple Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Barnstable, Bastable, Bastaple, Barnstaple, Bernstaple, Bearnstable, Barnstagle, Barnstabell, Barstable and many more.

Early Notables of the Barnstaple family

More information is included under the topic Early Barnstaple Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barnstaple family to Ireland

Some of the Barnstaple family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barnstaple family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Barnstaple or a variant listed above: Katherine Bastable who settled in Virginia in 1663; Daniel and David arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1844; William Barnstable arrived in New York city in 1823..

The Barnstaple Motto +

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: Regardez mort
Motto Translation: Regard the dead.