Birnicle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Family Crest Image (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

The name Birnicle is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in Warwickshire, where they took their name from the hamlet of Barnacle in the parish of Bulkington, six miles from Coventry. ^[1]

Early Origins of the Birnicle family

The surname Birnicle was first found in Warwickshire at Barnacle, a hamlet, in the parish of Bulkington, union of Nuneaton, Kirby division of the hundred of Knightlow. ^[2] "It is mentioned in the Conqueror's survey, and is supposed to have anciently belonged to the family of Fitzwith." ^[2] At that time it was spelt Bernhangre. ^[3] The place name literally means "wooded slope by a barn," from the Old English words "bere-aern" + "hangra." ^[4]

Early History of the Birnicle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Birnicle research. Another 215 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1344, 1500 and 1545 are included under the topic Early Birnicle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Birnicle Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Birnicle has been spelled many different ways, including Barnacle, Barnicle, Bernicle, Barnackle, Barnackell, Barnaucle and many more.

Early Notables of the Birnicle family (pre 1700)

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

Migration of the Birnicle family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Birnicles to arrive in North America: John Barnacle who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772.

Citations

1. ^ Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
2. ^ Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
3. ^ Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
4. ^ Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)