Show ContentsBernick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bernick

What does the name Bernick mean?

The surname Bernick is thought to be derived from the Germanic personal name Bernhard, composed of the elements "bern," which means "bear" and "hard," which means "hardy," "brave," or "strong."

Early Origins of the Bernick family

The surname Bernick was first found in Westphalia, where the family Berneck came from humble beginnings, but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society.

Early History of the Bernick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bernick research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1352 is included under the topic Early Bernick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bernick Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Bernick include Berneck, Bernecker, Bernech, Berneche, Bernneck, Bernecker, Bernach, Bernache, Bernnache, Bernack, Bernacker, Berneger, Bernicke and many more.

Early Notables of the Bernick family

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


Bernick migration to the United States +

For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them:

Bernick Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Martino Bernick, aged 31, who arrived in Mobile County, Ala in 1845 1


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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