The name Burnikell first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in Warwickshire, where they took their name from the hamlet of Barnacle in the parish of Bulkington, six miles from Coventry. [1]
The surname Burnikell 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]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burnikell research. Another 215 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1344, 1500 and 1545 are included under the topic Early Burnikell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Burnikell has appeared include Barnacle, Barnicle, Bernicle, Barnackle, Barnackell, Barnaucle and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Burnikell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Burnikell arrived in North America very early: John Barnacle who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772.