Berkale History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Berkale

What does the name Berkale mean?

The Berkale name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in one of two towns called Birchill in the counties of Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Alternatively the family could have originated in the parish of Bircholt, in the union of East Ashford, franchise and barony of Bircholt, lathe of Shepway, E. division of Kent. 1 2

Early Origins of the Berkale family

The surname Berkale was first found in Cheshire, where John de Birchall de Birtles, of Gawsworth was first recorded in 1401. Later the Wills at Chester included entries for Richard Birchall, of Parr, webster, 1581; James Birchall, of Winwick; 1591; and Geoffrey Birchall, of Croft, in Winwick, 1614. 3

Early East Cheshire records show John de Birchall de Birtles, of Gawsworth, Cheshire, but no date is given. The Source Wills at Chester includes entries for Richard Birchall, of Parr, webster, 1581; James Birchall, of Winwick; 1591; and Geoffrey Birchall, of Croft, in Winwick, 1614. 3

Early History of the Berkale family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Berkale research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1778, 1784 and 1805 are included under the topic Early Berkale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Berkale Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Berkale has undergone many spelling variations, including Birchall, Birchill, Birchalls, Birchills and many more.

Early Notables of the Berkale family

Robert Birchall, a London music-publisher said to have been apprenticed to Randall, the successor of Walsh who established a musical circulating library about 1784. Prior to which, he had been associated in business with Beardmore and also with Andrewes, successively at 129, 133 & 140 New Bond Street...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Berkale Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Berkale family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Berkale were among those contributors: Henry Birchall who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1824; Thomas Walmsley Birchall arrived in Philadelphia in 1835; Elias Birchall in 1845; William Birchall in 1852.

The Berkale 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: Quaerere verum
Motto Translation: To seek the truth.

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)