Barnstead History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Barnstead was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Barnstead family lived in Hampshire at Binstead, which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Benestede. 1 Alternatively, the name could have originated on the Isle of Wight at Binstead which was also listed Benestede in the Domesday Book. In both occurrences, the place name means "place where beans are grown," from the Old English words "bean" + "stede." 2

Early Origins of the Barnstead family

The surname Barnstead was first found in East Hampshire at Binsted, today a village and large civil parish or on the Isle of Wight at the village of Binstead. Of the two, Binsted in Hampshire is generally thought to have been the most likely origin of the surname. Conjecturally, they were descended from Hugh le Port, a Norman noble, who held the lands of Binstead from the Monks of the Bishop of Winchester at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book. They were also related to the Binsteads of Sussex, from the place of that name. Early census records revealed: John de Benstede and Maud de Bensted listed in Norfolk; and William de Benstede in Kent during the reign of Edward III. 3

Sir John de Benstede (d. 1323?), was an English judge who accompanied Edward I to Flanders in 1297 as Keeper of the great seal

Early History of the Barnstead family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnstead research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1305, 1306, 1308, 1320, 1333 and 1937 are included under the topic Early Barnstead History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnstead Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Bensted, Benstead, Binstead, Benestede, Bense, Benstede and many more.

Early Notables of the Barnstead family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir John de Benstede, a prominent member of the English royal household, Prebendary of Sandiacre (1297-1308?) King's Secretary and Keeper of the...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barnstead Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barnstead family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Barnstead or a variant listed above: Matthew Benstead who settled in Virginia in 1650; Jo Benstedd settled in Barbados in 1635; Thomas Binstead settled in Virginia in 1730; John Binsteed settled in Virginia in 1642.

Historic Events for the Barnstead family +

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Annie Isabel Barnstead (1875-1917), Canadian resident from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 4

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance