Origin of the surname Bernard

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 the name Bernardo.

The surname Bernard is distributed throughout the Alps.

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

The history of the surname bernard is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of bernard. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname bernard, and in addition to the original locations of bernard, we can find out where people with the surname bernard can currently be found.

The surname Bernard around the world

It is common for surnames like bernard to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The mobility of people carrying the surname bernard has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Bernard

The historical journey of the surname bernard can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of bernard. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname bernard are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective.

You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname bernard, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname bernard or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of bernard.

Notable Figures Named Bernard

Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all bernards who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. A surname like bernard can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames.

The surname Bernard and its bibliographic sources

It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname bernard. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname bernard, as well as many other surnames.

SOURCES

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

Origin of Bernard