Barnwell

Barnwell is a British surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word "bere" which means barley, and "well" which means spring or stream. The name likely originated as a locational surname, referring to someone who lived near a barley stream or spring.

The Barnwell surname is most commonly found in England, particularly in the East Anglia region. It has historical roots dating back to the medieval period, and there are records of Barnwells residing in various counties across England.

Notable individuals bearing the Barnwell surname include English clergyman and scholar Thomas Barnwell (1704–1772) and British diplomat Sir Eric Barnwell (1906–1980).

The Barnwell name has continued to be passed down through generations, with modern-day bearers of the surname found not only in the United Kingdom but also in other parts of the world, particularly in countries with historical connections to Britain such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

There are approximately 1,185 people named Barnwell in the UK. That makes it roughly the 6,485th most common surname in Britain. Around 18 in a million people in Britain are named Barnwell.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Thomas

Female

  • Catherine
  • Christine
  • Eileen
  • Elizabeth
  • Jean
  • Julie
  • Karen
  • Laura
  • Linda
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Niki
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Victoria

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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