Surname Barnett - Meaning and Origin

Redefining Personal Identity and Heritage: The iGENEA DNA Test Experience

Receiving the iGENEA DNA test results has opened up new perspectives on my personal identity and heritage, particularly in connection to my surname Barnett. It provided a deeper understanding and an expanded view of my ancestry, showing me that identity extends far beyond the limits of a surname.

Y. Barnett

Barnett: What does the surname Barnett mean?

Barnett is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the personal names "Bernhard" or "Bernard" which were popular names during the Middle Ages in England. These names consist of two elements: "ber(n)" which means 'bear', and "hard" which means 'brave', 'hardy', or 'strong'; thus, they can be translated to mean "as brave as a bear" or "bear-hardy". The suffix "-ett" in the name is a diminutive form, suggesting it was initially used to refer to the son of a person named Bernard, essentially indicating 'little Bernard' or 'son of Bernard'. As a last name, Barnett may also have been a locational surname, referring to individuals who hailed from various places named 'Barnett' in England, particularly in the county of Hertfordshire. Therefore, the name has both patronymic and locational roots. Variations of the Barnett surname include Barnet, Barnatt, Barnette, among others.

Barnett: Where does the name Barnett come from?

The surname Barnett originated from England, primarily from the regions of Hertfordshire and Surrey, during the 13th century. The name is of patronymic derivation, and was often given to the "son of Bernard". Bernard is a name composed of German elements "bern" (bear) and "hard" (brave or hardy), typically implying someone who is brave and strong as a bear.

The Barnett name was historically used as a trade or occupational surname, referring to a person who worked at or owned a farm or an estate; 'barn' and 'ett' translates to 'little barn'. The name has a Jewish lineage as well, largely used by Ashkenazi Jews, indicating a family that originated from the Polish town named 'Barnet'.

Today, the Barnett surname is most common in the United States and England. In the U.S, it is mostly concentrated in the southern states like Texas and Tennessee. Other countries with a significant population of Barnett’s include Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Variations of the name such as Barnet, Barnete, Bernett also exist.

Variations of the surname Barnett

The surname Barnett is of English origin and is believed to have derived from the personal name "Bernhard" or "Barnard," composed of the elements "bern," meaning bear, and "hard," meaning hardy, brave, or strong.

Over time and across different regions, various spellings and variants of Barnett have emerged. These include Barnet, Barnatt, Barnette, Barnetts, Bernett, Bernette, Barnit, Barnitt, Barnetson, and Barnard, amongst others. These variants can result from linguistic shifts, family traditions, regional accents, and individual choices which collectively contribute to the diversity of the surname's spellings.

Some families also tend to adopt the mother's maiden name as a child's first or middle name, or as a double-barrelled surname, which can potentially lead to new hybrid versions of Barnett, depending on the maiden name used.

Additionally, there may also be cases of common mistaken transcriptions of the surname Barnett. For example, "Barnard," an unrelated surname sometimes gets confused with Barnett due to their phonetic similarity.

In Jewish (Ashkenazic) culture, Barnett is also adopted as an Americanized form of names such as "Bernat," "Bernadt," or "Bernd," which are derived from the Yiddish personal name "Barnet."

In summary, the different variants of the surname Barnett reflect a complex interplay of linguistic, cultural, and personal influences.

Famous people with the name Barnett

• Margot Barnett: An American television scriptwriter known for her work on "The Big Valley" and "The Twilight Zone".
• Courtney Barnett: An Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist. Her debut album, "Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit", won her international acclaim and several awards.
• Chester Barnett: An American silent film actor who featured in over 90 films during the 1910s and 1920s.
• Charlie Barnett: An American actor known for his roles in Netflix series "Russian Doll" and "You".
• John Barnett: A New Zealand composer who has written a wide range of popular television and film scores.
• Jessica Barnett: A Canadian curler who won a bronze medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
• Dan Barnett: An Australian jazz musician and band leader known for his work on trombone and vocals.
• Carol Barnett: An American classical composer whose works include orchestral, choral, and chamber music.
• Adam Barnett-Hart: An American violinist and member of the Escher String Quartet.
• Samuel Barnett: An English actor known for his roles in "His Dark Materials" and "Beautiful People".
• Jim Barnett: Former NBA player and current Golden State Warriors color commentator.
• Joshua Barnett: A retired American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler.

Other surnames

BarnerBarnesBarnetBarnetskieBarnetteBarnettsonBarnevilleBarnewallBarney