Bearwood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Bearwood

What does the name Bearwood mean?

The name Bearwood is derived from the Old English words "bere, weard," and literally means "keeper of the bear." 1 Another source postulates that as an occupational name, it was known as bearward, "the keeper of a bear for exhibition of tricks; one who travels from place to place with a bear." 2

Early Origins of the Bearwood family

The surname Bearwood was first found in Cambridgeshire, where Fulk le Bereward was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1208. Later Stephen Bereward was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275 and in London, Edward Bereward was listed there in 1356. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only one entry for the family, that of Michael le Bereward in Huntingdonshire. 2

Early History of the Bearwood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bearwood research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1208, 1273, 1275, 1356, 1369 and 1594 are included under the topic Early Bearwood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bearwood Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bearwood include Bearward, Beareward, Berewood, Berewoode, Bereward, Barwarde, Bearwoode, Bearwood and many more.

Early Notables of the Bearwood family

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

Bearwood migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Bearwood Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Bearwood, aged 19, British farmer who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "Hope" on 1st April 1842

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)