Place of Birth

Georgia
Tribal Affiliation

Abenaki L’Nabi / Potawatomi
Surname Heritage

England / Ireland

Barnett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The present generation of the Barnett family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived on or near land cleared for cultivation by burning off the forest.

The name may also have been patronymic as in “‘the son of Bernard,’ or ‘Barnard.’ The Cistercian monk gave a wonderful impetus in the 13th century to this name, already popular. A large number of Bernards sprang up in Furness after the Abbey came under the Bernardino rule.” [1]

Early Origins of the Barnett family

The surname Barnett was first found in Herefordshire at Chipping Barnet, a parish, town, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Cashio. “This place, called also High Barnet, from its situation on the summit of a hill, derives its distinguishing name from the privilege granted to the monks of St. Alban’s, of holding a market here. On April 5th, 1471, the decisive battle which terminated in the defeat and death of the Earl of Warwick, and established Edward IV. on the throne, took place on Gladmore Heath, a mile north-west of the town.” [2]

Barnet by the Wold is a parish, in the union of Glandford-Brigg, S. division of the wapentakeof Yarborough, parts of Lindsey, Lincolnshire, East Barnet is a parish, in the union of Barnet, hundred of Cashio, Herefordshire and Fryern Barnet is a parish, in the union of Barnet, Finsbury division of the hundred of Ossulstone, county of Middlesex. “It is supposed that an abbey anciently existed here from which the place obtained the prefix to its name, and that the old manor-house, now taken down, was the summer residence of the abbots. ” [2]

The singular name Bernadus was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 in Huntingdonshire. [3] A few years later, it appeared again in Norfolk (1101-1116.) [4]

With a forename, one the earliest records was that of John Barnet (d. 1373), an English bishop successively of Worcester, Bath and Wells, and Ely, and was chaplain to Thomas Lisle. [5]

Early History of the Barnett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnett research.

Barnett Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person’s name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Barnett include Barnett, Barnette, Barnet and others.

Early Notables of the Barnett family (pre 1700)

Notables of the family at this time include James Barnett (c. 1760-1836), an English banker and Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons and a Member of Parliament for Rochester (1806-1807) and (1816-1820.) Thomas Barnett (1799-1890), born in Birmingham, England.

Barnett World Ranking

In the United States, the name Barnett is the 275^th most popular surname with an estimated 96,993 people with that name. [6] However, in Australia, the name Barnett is ranked the 355^thmost popular surname with an estimated 10,192 people with that name. [7] And in New Zealand, the name Barnett is the 208^th popular surname with an estimated 2,701 people with that name. [8] The United Kingdom ranks Barnett as 274^th with 22,066 people. [9]

Migration of the Barnett family to Ireland

Some of the Barnett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

Barnett migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Barnett were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Barnett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Barnett, who landed in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship “Jonathan” [10]
Thomas Barnett, aged 16, who landed in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship “Elizabeth” [10]
William Barnett, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship “Truelove”, died by 1625 [10]
John Barnett, who landed in America in 1624 [10]
Rich Barnett, who landed in Virginia in 1635 [10]

Barnett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Sara Barnett, who landed in Virginia in 1705 [10]
Francis Barnett, who arrived in Virginia in 1712 [10]
William Barnett, who landed in America in 1736 [10]

Barnett Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Margaret Barnett, aged 34, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 [10]
Jane Barnett, aged 12, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 [10]
Annabelle Barnett, aged 20, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 [10]
Annabella Barnett, aged 20, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 [10]
Andrew Barnett, aged 24, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 [10]

Barnett Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Miss Mary Barnett, (b. 1867), aged 37, Cornish dressmaker travelling aboard the ship “St Paul” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 4th August 1904 en route to Pennsylvania, USA [11]
Mrs. Katie Barnett, (b. 1875), aged 30, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship “New York” arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Ophir, Colorado, USA [11]

Barnett migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: