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![Show Contents]() Birdstall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The present generation of the Birdstall family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in Suffolk, where the family could be found since the early Middle Ages. Early Origins of the Birdstall familyThe surname Birdstall was first found in Suffolk at Burstall, a village and civil parish that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Burgestala [1] and literally meant "site of a fort or stronghold," from the Old English word "burh-stall." [2] Early History of the Birdstall familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Birdstall research. Another 305 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1206, 1230, 1273, 1273, 1316, 1500 and 1655 are included under the topic Early Birdstall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Birdstall Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Birdstall include Burstall, Burstal, Burstalle, Birstall, Birkestalle, Berstall, Byrstall, Burstow, Burstoe and many more. Early Notables of the Birdstall family (pre 1700)More information is included under the topic Early Birdstall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Birdstall familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Birdstall were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Mary Harvey Bearsly, who came to Massachusetts in 1635; Joseph Bearsly, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1635; Agnes Kempe Birdsall, who settled in Boston in 1635.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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