Origin of the surname Berard

This famous personal and later surname, is of pre 5th century German origins. Recorded in over one hundred different spellings ranging from Barnard, Benard, and Bernat, to Bernth, Bernucci, and Bieratowicz, it derives from the male personal name "Bernhard or Beornheard", comprising the elements "bern", meaning the bear, plus "hard", meaning brave, strong or hardy. Perhaps not surprisingly given the meaning of "Hardy bear" the name was always popular. The surname was first recorded in England in the 12th century.

Here records were kept much earlier than was usual in other European countries, and England was the first country to adopt hereditary surnames as we know them today. The initial popularity of the name was also given a boost by the fame of two early saints. These were St. Bernard of Clairvaux (circa 1010 - 1153), the founder of the Cistercian monastery at Clairvaux, and St. Bernard of Menthon (923 - 1108), the founder of Alpine hospices and patron saint of mountaineers. Early examples of the surname recording include Thomas Bernhard of Cambridge, England, in the year 1260, Albertus Berenhardus of Schwenningen, Germany, in 1290, and Gregorius Bernhardt, christened at Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany, on January 18th 1549. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Hugo Bernard, which was dated 1130, in the "Pipe Rolls" of the city of Lincoln, England. This was during the reign of King Henry 1st, known as "The Lion of Justice", 1100 - 1135. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

It should derive from a Germanic name Baerhard which means "strong bear".

We remember the Berardi family, which in the 12th century was the castellan of Partina, Gello, Banzena and Serra in the Casentino.

The diffusion of the name and surname is also due to the cult of the numerous homonymous saints.

The surname Berard, very rare, is typically from the Aosta Valley.

The surname Berard. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of berard is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. The history of the surname berard is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of berard. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname berard is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of berard.

The surname Berard around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname berard. It is common for surnames like berard to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname berard provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Berard

The historical chronicle of berard is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The historical journey of the surname berard can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of berard. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname berard, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of berard developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname berard.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname berard, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname berard, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about berard and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Berard

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished berards throughout human history. Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all berards who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname berard were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname berard, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname berard who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Berard and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of berard. It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname berard. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of berard are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of berard.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of berard, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Berard