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Irish surname

Barnewall: Irish Surname History & Coat of Arms

de Bearnabhál · 'of Bernevale,' probably in Normandy

Woulfe (1923) gives Barnewall under de Bearnabhál, 'of Bernevale', probably in Normandy. He says the family came into Ireland about the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion and settled in Dublin and Meath, and were long one of the most influential families of the Pale. Webb (1878) records John Barnewall, Lord Trimleston, who died in 1538, and Nicholas Barnewall, Viscount Kingsland, who died in 1725.

Coat of arms associated with the Barnewall surname
Irish formde Bearnabhál
Meaning'of Bernevale,' probably in Normandy
CountiesDublin, Meath
Other spellings3
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Barnewall crest gifts

Origin of the Barnewall name

Woulfe: 'This family came into Ireland about the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion and settled in Dublin and Meath. They were long one of the most influential families of the Pale, and played an important part in the history of the country.'[1]

  1. 1536John Barnewall, with Lord-Treasurer Brabazon, makes an incursion into Offaly against the O'Conor, per Webb.[2]
  2. 1538John Barnewall, Lord Trimleston, dies (25 July), per Webb.[2]
  3. 1583Four Masters: Isabella Barnewall, wife of O'Reilly (Hugh Conallagh), dies about the time of his death.[4]
  4. 1645Webb: the family of Nicholas Barnewall, Viscount Kingsland, had been ennobled by King Charles I (12 September) for loyalty to his cause.[3]
  5. 1725Nicholas Barnewall, Viscount Kingsland, dies (14 June) and is buried at Lusk, per Webb.[3]

Where in Ireland

Co. DublinWoulfe: the family settled in Dublin and Meath.[1]
Co. MeathWoulfe: the family settled in Dublin and Meath.[1]

Notable people named Barnewall

John Barnewall, Lord Trimlestond. 1538Webb: rose to high office in Ireland under Henry VIII; treated with the O'Neill in 1537; four times married.[2]
Nicholas Barnewall, Viscount Kingsland1668–1725Webb: born 15 April 1668; captain in King James's Irish army in 1688; included in the articles at Limerick.[3]

Other spellings

Barnavill · Barnwell · de Bernevale[1]

The Barnewall coat of arms

The design shown is a coat of arms associated with the Barnewall surname. In Irish and British heraldry a coat of arms is granted to one person and passes to their heirs; it does not belong to everyone who shares the surname. Many families still use the arms of their name as a symbol of their heritage.

Barnewall surname: questions

What does the surname Barnewall mean?

Woulfe's entry de Bearnabhál gives it as 'of Bernevale', probably in Normandy.[1]

Is Barnewall an Irish name?

Woulfe says the family came into Ireland about the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion and settled in Dublin and Meath, and that they were long one of the most influential families of the Pale.[1]

Who was John Barnewall, Lord Trimleston?

Webb says his ancestors came over with Henry II, that he rose to high office in Ireland under Henry VIII and received grants of land near Dunleer, and that he died on 25 July 1538.[2]

Is Barnwell the same name as Barnewall?

Woulfe prints Barnewall, Barnavill and Barnwell together as forms under de Bearnabhál.[1]

Sources

  1. de Bearnabhál — Irish Names and Surnames (Rev. Patrick Woulfe, 1923), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/names/d/de-bearnabhal.php
  2. Barnewall, John — A Compendium of Irish Biography (Alfred Webb, 1878), LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/biography/JohnBarnewall.php
  3. Barnewall, Nicholas — A Compendium of Irish Biography (Alfred Webb, 1878), LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/biography/NicholasBarnewall.php
  4. Annals of the Four Masters (trans. John O'Donovan), 1583 (part 9) — CELT edition, CELT, University College Cork. celt.ucc.ie/published/T100005E/text009.html