Show ContentsBearingtum History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Bearingtum is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Bearingtum family lived in parishes at Cambridge, Berkshire, Somerset and Gloucester. Their original family seat was at Barentin in Normandy, and they were one of a group of families that draw their name from this location. [1]

Early Origins of the Bearingtum family

The surname Bearingtum was first found in Cambridge and Lincolnshire where they have held a family seat from very ancient times. Barrington or De Barenton was located near Caudebec, Normandy. [1]

Early feudal rolls provided the king of the time a method of cataloguing holdings for taxation, but today they provide a glimpse into the wide surname spellings in use in early times.

Fulk de Barenton was found in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1198 and a few years later, Geoffrey de Barrington was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Dorset and Somerset in 1219. In Essex, the Feet of Fines for 1344 include and entry for Nicholas de Baryngton. [2]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Warin de Barenton, Cambridgeshire; Gilbert de Barenton, Cambridgeshire; Drogo de Barentin, Oxfordshire; and William de Barentin, Oxfordshire. [3]

"Some of the families of this name claim a Norman descent, and derive their name from Barenton. The Irish Baronet deduces himself from a Saxon progenitor, keeper of the Forest of Hatfield in the days of the Conqueror. Le Neve derives the name from an imaginary Saxon called Barentine, but according to Sir Jonas Barrington's Memoirs, the family's Norman origin is unquestionable. The surname was variously written Barentin, Barentyn, Barenton, Barentine, and at length took the English form of Barrington, There are parishes bearing this name in four English counties." [4]

As far as the place names are concerned, most date back to Domesday Book of 1086: Barrington, Cambridgeshire was recorded as Barentone at that time; Barrington in Somerset was recorded as Barintone; and Great & Little Barrington, Gloucestershire was recorded as Bernin(n)tomne. [5] All places are derived from a "farmstead of a man called 'Barra', which is an old personal name. [6]

Early History of the Bearingtum family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bearingtum research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1570, 1588, 1601, 1605, 1611, 1621, 1628, 1629, 1644, 1645, 1648, 1660, 1671, 1679, 1683, 1715, 1728, 1764, 1797, 1800 and 1917 are included under the topic Early Bearingtum History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bearingtum Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bearingtum include Barrington, Barentin, Berrington, Berington, Berinton, Barenten, Barenton, Barentine, Barentyn, Barrinton, Barrenkton, Barringston and many more.

Early Notables of the Bearingtum family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Berrington, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1588; Sir Francis Barrington, 1st Baronet (ca. 1570-1628), an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Essex (1601-1611) and (1621-1628); his son, Sir Thomas Barrington, 2nd Baronet (died 1644)...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bearingtum Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bearingtum family to Ireland

Some of the Bearingtum family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bearingtum family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Bearingtums to arrive on North American shores: Abigail Barrington who settled in Barbados in 1664; Isaac Barrington settled in Barbados in 1654; Robert Barrington settled in Virginia in 1677; Benjamin Barrington settled in North Carolina in 1701.



The Bearingtum 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: Ung durant ma vie
Motto Translation: The same while I live.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  6. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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