Show ContentsBerdin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Berdin

What does the name Berdin mean?

The name Berdin is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived on a barley farm. Checking further we found the name was derived from the English word barton which originates in the two Old English words bere, which means barley, and tun, signifying an enclosure.

Early Origins of the Berdin family

The surname Berdin was first found in Cheshire at Barton, a township, in the parish of Farndon, union of Great Boughton, Higher division of the hundred of Broxton. "The manor [of Barton] was anciently held under the barony of Malpas by the family of Barton, some monuments of whom, with their effigies, were formerly to be seen in Farndon church." 1

Over in Barton-Upon-Irwell in Lancashire another branch of the family was found. "Barton Old Hall, a brick edifice, now a farmhouse, was the seat successively of the Barton, Booth, and Leigh families." 1

Bearton was the name of a small hamlet near Hitchin in Hertfordshire, but was amalgamated about 100 years ago to be known as Hitchin Bearton.

Early History of the Berdin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Berdin research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1015, 1163, 1304, 1466, 1474, 1475, 1506, 1511, 1525, 1534, 1562, 1597, 1598, 1610, 1614, 1659, 1678, 1681, 1684, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Berdin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Berdin Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Berdin were recorded, including Barton, Barten, Bartin and others.

Early Notables of the Berdin family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Andrew Barton (1466-1511), High Admiral of the Kingdom of Scotland, but regarded by the English and Portuguese as a pirate. His "defeat by Sir Thomas and Sir Edward Howard is celebrated in the old ballad of 'Sir Andrew Barton,' was the son of John Barton, who is mentioned in the account of the chamberlain of Fife, 1474-1475, as master of the Yellow Carvel, subsequently rendered famous under Sir Andrew Wood. " 2Edward Barton (1562?-1597), was the second English ambassador sent to Constantinople, and was probably the second son of Edward Barton of...
Another 224 words (16 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Berdin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Berdin Ranking

In France, the name Berdin is the 7,226th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Berdin family to Ireland

Some of the Berdin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 103 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Berdin migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Berdin family emigrate to North America:

Berdin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Nathaniel Berdin, who landed in Connecticut in 1636 4


The Berdin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fide et fortitudine
Motto Translation: By fidelity and fortitude.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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