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The surname Barnes is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has a rich history that spans across England, Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. The name is derived from the Old English “bern,” which means “barn” or “barley house.” This suggests that the original bearers of the name were likely involved in farming or lived near a barn. The surname Barnes also has roots in the Old Norse “bjǫrn,” meaning “bear,” indicating that in some cases, the name could have been a byname for someone who was strong or brave.
Earliest Recorded Use in England
In England, the surname Barnes can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, a great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is that of “Ailric Barn” in the Domesday Book for Essex. The name Barnes appears frequently in medieval English records, reflecting its common use and the agricultural society of the time. By the 13th century, surnames were becoming hereditary, and “John de la Bernes” is recorded in 1279 in Cambridgeshire, indicating a location-based surname likely referring to someone who lived by barns.
Earliest Recorded Use in Scotland
In Scotland, the name Barnes is less common but still present from early records. The surname likely arrived in Scotland through the movement of people between the two countries. One of the earliest mentions is in 1296, when a William de Barnes rendered homage to Edward I of England, which is documented in the Ragman Rolls. This period marked the War of Scottish Independence, and many Scottish names appear in English documents due to political and military reasons.
Earliest Recorded Use in Ireland
The surname Barnes appears in Irish records as a result of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the late 12th century. Anglo-Norman settlers brought many English surnames with them. The Barnes name is particularly associated with County Meath and County Louth. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the name became more established in Ireland through the settlement of English and Scottish planters during the Tudor conquest and the Ulster Plantation. An early record includes Richard Barnes, an English settler in County Meath in the mid-16th century.
Earliest Recorded Use in the United States
The Barnes surname made its way to the United States with early English and Irish immigrants. One of the first recorded instances of the name in America is Thomas Barnes, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship “The Winthrop Fleet.” He settled in Hartford, Connecticut, and became a prominent figure in the community. The Barnes family name spread throughout the colonies, often found in New England, Virginia, and later, other parts of the expanding nation.
Spelling Variations
The surname Barnes has undergone various spelling changes over the centuries, reflecting regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling. Some common variations include:
Barns, Barne, Bernes, Barness, Barnis, Burnes, Burness, Barnas
These variations can be attributed to differences in pronunciation, literacy levels, and clerical recording practices. For example, “Barns” is a straightforward phonetic variation, while “Burnes” reflects a shift in vowel pronunciation.
Conclusion
The surname Barnes is a prime example of an occupational and locational surname that has deep historical roots in England and has spread widely through the English-speaking world. Its earliest recorded uses in England, Scotland, Ireland, and the United States highlight the migratory patterns and the socio-political influences on surname distribution. Despite the numerous spelling variations, the name Barnes has remained a significant and recognizable surname through the centuries, embodying a connection to both the land and the characteristics of strength and bravery associated with its etymological roots.