Bermis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Bermis

What does the name Bermis mean?

A people of the Scottish/English Borderlands known as the Strathclyde Britons were the first to use the name Bermis. It is derived from the personal name Burnhouse, derived from the words burn, meaning "stream," and house, meaning a house.

Early Origins of the Bermis family

The surname Bermis was first found in Cumberland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Bermis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bermis research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1495 and 1560 are included under the topic Early Bermis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bermis Spelling Variations

In the era before dictionaries, there were no rules governing the spelling or translation of names or any other words. Consequently, there are an enormous number of spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names. Bermis has appeared as Burness, Burnes, Burnace, Burnice, Burnhouse, Burnshead, Burnish, Burnist, Bernis and many more.

Early Notables of the Bermis family

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

Migration of the Bermis family to Ireland

Some of the Bermis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bermis family

The freedom, opportunity, and land of the North American colonies beckoned. There, Scots found a place where they were generally free from persecution and where they could go on to become important players in the birth of new nations. Some fought in the American War of Independence, while others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these Scottish settlers have been able to recover their lost national heritage in the last century through highland games and Clan societies in North America. Among them: William Burnhouse settled in Virginia in 1623; Margaret Burness, who settled in East New Jersey in 1685; James Burness, who settled in America in 1815.

The Bermis 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: Perseverantia vincit
Motto Translation: Perseverance conquers