Origin of the surname Bernhard

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.

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

Research into the possible origins of bernhard leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname bernhard, and in addition to the original locations of bernhard, we can find out where people with the surname bernhard can currently be found.

The surname Bernhard around the world

There is a considerable probability that bernhard has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where bernhard is most abundant are the following. The mobility of people carrying the surname bernhard has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Bernhard

The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named bernhard are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname bernhard 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.

It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of bernhard could be modified. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname bernhard or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of bernhard.

Notable Figures Named Bernhard

We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname bernhard, even though not all have been documented to our present day. A surname like bernhard 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. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname bernhard who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Bernhard and its bibliographic sources

The bibliography collects information related to the surname bernhard, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname bernhard, as well as many other surnames.

SOURCES

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

Origin of Bernhard