The origins of the Birnikel name lie with England's ancient
Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)Early Origins of the Birnikel family
The surname Birnikel 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. "It is mentioned in the Conqueror's survey, and is supposed to have anciently belonged to the family of Fitzwith."
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. At that time it was spelt Bernhangre.
[3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) The place name literally means "wooded slope by a barn," from the Old English words "bere-aern" + "hangra."
[4]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Early History of the Birnikel family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Birnikel research.
Another 429 words (31 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1344, 1500 and 1545 are included under the topic Early Birnikel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Birnikel Spelling Variations
Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason,
spelling variations are commonly found in early
Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Birnikel were recorded, including Barnacle, Barnicle, Bernicle, Barnackle, Barnackell, Barnaucle and many more.
Early Notables of the Birnikel family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Birnikel Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Birnikel family to the New World and Oceana
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from
England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Birnikel family emigrate to North America: John Barnacle who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772.