The name Bernall is of
Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a person with brown hair or a dark complexion. The surname Bernall is derived from the Old English word
burnel. This word comes from the Old French word
brunel, which is a diminutive of the Old French word
brun. Normally a
nickname, Bernall was also used as a personal name.
Early Origins of the Bernall family
The surname Bernall was first found in
Shropshire where they were a family of great antiquity. They held a
family seat at Acton Burnell in the county of Salop where they were found as early as 1087 according to Dugdale. They also acquired Holgate in the same shire and one of the first on record was Lesire le Burnell, whose son Robert Burnell (1239-1292) was Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1275 and Lord Chancellor of
England from 1274-1292.
Another branch of the family was found in the parish of Sibthorpe in Nottinghamshire. "This place was anciently of some importance, and was the residence of the Burnell family, of whose spacious mansion, however, no remains now exist." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
The parish of Acton-Burnell is of great importance to the family too. "This place, which is of considerable antiquity, is on a branch of the Roman Watling-street. It takes the adjunct to its name from the family of Burnell, of whom Robert, Bishop of Bath and Wells, and Lord High Chancellor in the reign of Edward I., had a castle in the parish, of which there are still some remains. Nicholas Burnell, a distinguished warrior in the reign of Edward III., was born and buried here." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Bernall family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bernall research.
Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 157 and 1571 are included under the topic Early Bernall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Bernall Spelling Variations
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few
hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Bernall have been found, including Burnell, Burnhill, Byrnell and others.
Early Notables of the Bernall family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Bernall Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Bernall family to Ireland
Some of the Bernall family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 100 words (7 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 Bernall family to the New World and Oceana
Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in
England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in
England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become powerful new nations. Among early immigrants of the Bernall surname to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were: Mrs. Burnell who arrived in Barbados in 1680 with servants; Henry Burnell settled in Virginia in 1656 with his brothers Francis and Robert; William Burnell settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630.
The Bernall 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: Caritas fructum habet
Motto Translation: Charity bears fruit.