Show ContentsBartlett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Bartlett Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Bartlett

What does the name Bartlett mean?

Bartlett is one of the thousands of new names that the Norman Conquest of 1066 brought to England. It comes from the personal name Bartholomew, and in its altered form is a baptismal name meaning Bartholomew. As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honor of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Early Origins of the Bartlett family

The surname Bartlett was first found in Sussex, where "the head of this family, according to Dallaway, may be considered one of the most ancient proprietors of land residing upon this estate in this county. The first in the pedigree is Adam de Bartelott, said to be of Norman origin, father of John, who married Joan Stopham, coheiress of lands in the manor from whence the name is derived." 1

Another reference claim "the Barttelots of Stopham have a tradition that they came into England at the Conquest, and settled at a place called La Ford, in that parish, in which they still reside." 2

In Norfolk, Godricus Bertelot was recorded c. 1157 and later the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex recorded Walter Bertelot in 1296. Thomas Bartelot was listed in the Feet of Fines for Cambridgeshire in 1294 and in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 3

The church of Stopham contains a long series of the family's monuments. "The church is partly in the early and partly in the decorated English style, with a square tower; the pavement is almost entirely composed of large slabs of Sussex marble, inlaid with brass figures and memorials of the Barttelot family, and in the windows are representations of some of the Barttelots and Stophams in stained glass, said to have been removed from the ball windows of the old manor-house." 4

"The variants were numerous. It is quite evident that Bartlet or Bartlot was the popular nick, for this then favourite Apostolic name." For this reason, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 attempts to show the various spellings: Bartelot (without surname), Bedfordshire; Thomas Bartholot, Cambridgeshire; William Bartolot, Oxfordshire; Bartelot Govi, Huntingdonshire; Alan Bartelet, Cambridgeshire; and Richard Bartelot, Oxfordshire. 5

To the north in Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Thomas Bartlot; and Robertus Bartlot. 5

Early History of the Bartlett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bartlett research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1069, 1471, 1501, 1557, 1566, 1662, 1682 and 1944 are included under the topic Early Bartlett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bartlett Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Bartlett, Bartlet, Bartlette, Bartolet, Bartelot and many more.

Early Notables of the Bartlett family

  • John Barthlet or Bartlett (fl. 1566), an English theological writer. John Bartlet (fl. 1662), was an English nonconformist divine, educated at the University of Cambridge and William Bartlet (died 168...

Bartlett World Ranking

the United States, the name Bartlett is the 693rd most popular surname with an estimated 42,279 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Bartlett is ranked the 728th most popular surname with an estimated 7,357 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Bartlett is the 283rd popular surname with an estimated 12,355 people with that name. 8 New Zealand ranks Bartlett as 276th with 2,216 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Bartlett as 354th with 17,705 people. 10

Bartlett migration to the United States +

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Bartlett name or one of its variants:

Bartlett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Bartlett, who landed in Virginia in 1623 12
  • Robert Bartlett, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Lyon" 12
  • Robert Bartlett, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 12
  • Thomas Bartlett, who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, bound for Watertown 12
  • Robert Bartlett, who landed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1632 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bartlett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Roger Bartlett, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1749 12
Bartlett Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Bartlett, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1822 12
  • Miss H. Bartlett, (b. 1820), aged 21, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in the United States on 3 June 1841 13
  • L H Bartlett, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 12
  • E Bartlett, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 12
  • F Bartlett, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bartlett Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. George Bartlett, (b. 1876), aged 24, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Saint Paul" arriving in Michigan, USA on 10th March 1900 14
  • Mr. Richard Bartlett, (b. 1870), aged 30, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Saint Paul" arriving in the United States on 10th March 1900 14
  • Mr. William H. Bartlett, (b. 1861), aged 44, Cornish mariner travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving in New York, USA in 1905 14
  • Mr. George Bartlett, (b. 1878), aged 27, American miner travelling aboard the ship "Saint Louis" arriving in Butte Montana, USA in 1905 14
  • Mr. George Bartlett, (b. 1876), aged 29, Cornish farm labourer travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving in San Francisco, USA on 1905 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bartlett migration to Canada +

Bartlett Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Arthur Bartlett, who settled in Newfoundland in 1730 15
  • Mary Bartlett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Francis Bartlett in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland in 1766 15
  • Thomas Bartlett was listed at Port de Grave, Newfoundland in 1778 15
  • John and William Bartlett in Brigus, Newfoundland in 1780 15
Bartlett Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Theophile Bartlett, who landed in Canada in 1816
  • William Bartlett was a carpenter in Ferryland, Newfoundland in 1823 15
  • Thomas Bartlett from Poole, Dorset, England was married in Riders Harbour, Newfoundland in 1829 15
  • Mrs. Jane Bartlett, (b. 1818), aged 37, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking 16
  • Mr. James Bartlett, (b. 1854), aged 1, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he died in the sinking 16
Bartlett Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Mr. William Bartlett, (b. 1856), aged 45, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving in British Columbia, USA on 24th August 1901 14

Bartlett migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. Richard Bartlett, British settler convicted in Cheshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing sheep, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Henry Bartlett, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for assault, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Third Fleet
  • Mr. James Bartlett, English convicted in Winchester, Hampshire on 1st March 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealinghe received a pardon January 1787 "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788, received a pardon 1787 12
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Bartlett Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Bartlett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Henry Bartlett, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
  • Mr. William Bartlett, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
  • Robert Bartlett, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • John Bartlett, English convict from Oxford, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on September 21, 1826, settling in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • Mr. Robert Bartlett, (b. 1804), aged 23, British Brickmaker who was convicted in Surrey, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Asia" on 19th November 1827, settling in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1844 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bartlett migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bartlett Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • George Bartlett, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • George Bartlett, aged 14, a labourer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 22
  • Nathaniel Bartlett, aged 30, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • Sarah Bartlett, aged 37, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • Fanny Bartlett, aged 8, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bartlett migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23
Bartlett Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Tobias Bartlett, who landed in Barbados in 1663 12
  • Alexander Bartlett, who arrived in Barbados in 1680 12

Contemporary Notables of the name Bartlett (post 1700) +

  • Robert Bartlett (1939-2025), American physician and medical researcher, credited with developing a lifesaving heart-lung technology known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
  • Dorothy Agnes Bartlett (b. 1911), American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • Ron Bartlett, American sound engineer, Academy Award winner
  • Jennifer Losch Bartlett (1941-2022), American artist who was known for paintings and prints that combine the system-based aesthetic of conceptual art
  • Thomas George "Tommy" Bartlett (1928-2016), American college basketball and tennis player, head coach of Carson-Newman College, University of Chattanooga and the University of Florida
  • Peter Bartlett (b. 1942), American actor
  • Sy Bartlett (1900-1978), born Sacha Baraniev, American author and screenwriter /producer of Hollywood films
  • Hall Bartlett (1922-1993), American seventeen-time Academy Award nominated film producer, director, and screen writer
  • Jason Alan Bartlett (b. 1979), American Major League Baseball shortstop
  • ... (Another 175 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Grover Shoe factory
  • Mr. Harry C. Bartlett, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; he died 24
  • Mr. Maxwell Edwin Bartlett (1922-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 25
  • Mr. Harry Gordon Bartlett, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26
  • Mr. Kenneth G Bartlett, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27
  • Arthur Bartlett (1907-1939), born in Pennington, Hampshire, England, British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
  • ... (Another 11 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  12. 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)
  13. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  14. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  15. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  16. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/wreck_of_emigrant_ship_john_1855.pdf
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  19. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
  20. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1826 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1826
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1827
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  24. California Digital Newspaper from 21st March 1905 (retrieved on 5th August 2021.) Retrieved from https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19050321.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
  25. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  26. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  27. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  28. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html

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