Bear History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

French settlers came early to North American, following in the wake of the explorers, and creating New France. Quebec City, founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain is said to have been the first American site founded as a permanent settlement, rather than as just a commercial outpost. But emigration was slow, in 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 French people in Quebec, and by 1663, when the region was officially made The Royal Colony of New France, by Louis XIV, there still only around 500 settlers. Over 2,000 would arrive during the next decade. Early marriage was desperately encouraged amongst the immigrants. Youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted immigrants, both noble and commoner from France. By 1675, there were around 7000 French in the colony, and by that same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported to Louisiana. Despite the loss of the Colony to England, the French people flourished in Lower Canada. Among settlers to North America of the Bear surname were

Bear Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• George Bear, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 2
• Win Bear, who arrived in Virginia in 1715 2
• Hans Jacob Bear, aged 17, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1730 2
• Anna Maria Bear, aged 43, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1730 2
• Hendrick Bear, aged 6, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1730 2
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bear Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Peter Bear, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1848 2
• Charles Bear, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1851 2
• John Bear, who landed in America in 1853 2
• Eustaquio Bear, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1884 2

Bear Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Mr. William John Bear, (b. 1875), aged 29, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th June 1904 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 3

Bear Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Thomas Bear, English convict from Suffolk, who was transported aboard the "Agincourt" on July 6, 1844, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 4
• Mr. William Bear, (b. 1813), aged 35, Cornish miner from Germoe, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Fairlie" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 7th August 1848 5
• Mrs. Mary Bear, (b. 1815), aged 33, Cornish settler from St. Breock, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Fairlie" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 7th August 1848 5
• Mr. William Bear, (b. 1840), aged 8, Cornish settler from Germoe, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Fairlie" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 7th August 1848 5
• Mr. John Bear, (b. 1842), aged 6, Cornish settler from St. Breock, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Fairlie" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 7th August 1848 5
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bear Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. James P. Bear, British school master travelling from London aboard the ship "Sebastopol" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st May 1863 6
• Mr. Bear, British settler travelling from London via Cape ports aboard the ship "Pembroke Castle" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 5th November 1889 6

• Gregory Dale "Greg" Bear (1951-2022), American writer and illustrator best known for science fiction who wrote over 50 books
• Danny Little Bear (1926-1991), American professional wrestler
• Elizabeth Bear (b. 1971), American fiction author, winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, and winner of the 2008 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
• Peter D. Bear, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Wisconsin State Assembly, 1977-78; Member of Wisconsin State Senate 13th District, 1979-80 7
• Perry Bear, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Indiana, 1924 7
• Max L. Bear, American politician, Mayor of Pensacola, Florida, 1936-37 7
• Franklin Bear, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 5th District, 1962 7
• Alexander Bear, American Democratic Party politician, Member of University of Nebraska Board of Regents, 1875-76; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1876; Mayor of Norfolk, Nebraska, 1896-97 7
• Isabel "Joy" Bear AM (1927-2021), Australian chemist from Camperdown, Victoria, the first woman to be awarded the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Leighton Medal
• Anthony Bear, Professor of Cybernetics at Manchester University

• The Genealogy of Henry Baer (also Bear Family) of Leacock, Pennsylvania by Willis Nissley Baer.