Surname Barnet - Meaning and Origin

Barnet: What does the surname Barnet mean?

The surname Barnet is of English origin and is derived from the Old English terms "bærnet" meaning "burned clearing" or "barley clearing." The name is believed to have originally been a locational surname for individuals who hailed from the town of Barnet in Hertfordshire, England. Alternatively, it could also have been a topographic surname for a person who lived near a patch of land that had been cleared by burning. Surname usage often related to one's occupation or geographical location during the medieval period in England. Thus, a person named Barnet could have possibly lived near or worked on such a patch of land. Another possibility is that the name might have also been related to barley farming. Overall, the surname Barnet carries connotations of land, agriculture, and clearance. Over time, various spellings of the surname have evolved, including Barnett, Barnette, and Barnatt among others.

Barnet: Where does the name Barnet come from?

The surname Barnet is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has two potential sources. The first is a topographic name for someone who lived by a place cleared of timber but left as pasture, derived from the Old English pre 7th Century "baernet", meaning 'burnt clearing'. The second possibility is that it comes from the various places named Barnet or Barnett in England, which means "the place at the burnt clearing".

The name first appears on record in the late 12th Century as Berenet and Barnat in 1279 in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire respectively. The definitive Borough of Barnet, you'll find in London.

The name spread around Britain, and it was brought to the United States, Australia, Canada, and other colonies by settlers and immigrants. Today, the name is most commonly found in England, followed by the United States. The surname can also be found, to a lesser extent, in Scotland, Wales, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It remains relatively common in the London region. Notably, it is less common in non-English speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Barnet

The surname Barnet has various variants and spellings that originated from the same roots. Variations of this name could be attributed to the transliteration from other languages, regional dialects, and phonetic spellings. These include Barnett, Barnette, Barnatt, Barnetts, Bernett, Barnitt and Bernet.

The surname is of English and Scottish origin, denoting someone from the place called 'Barnet' in Hertfordshire or 'Barnhead' in Scotland. It may also be an Anglicized version of names like the French 'Bernard' or the German 'Bernhardt'.

In some cases, Barnet can be traced back to a variation of the Hebrew name 'Baruch', meaning 'blessed', which was adopted by Jewish immigrants upon arrival to English-speaking countries.

The variation of the name also differs based on regional accents, dialects, and pronunciation. Some Scottish variants include Burnet, Burnett, Bernett, and Burnette.

While the spelling of the surname can differ significantly, these versions all point back to the original designation of geographical location or personal characteristics.

It's important to remember that the accuracy of these links can often be determined more accurately through genealogical research, as surname origins can overlap and vary widely.

Famous people with the name Barnet

• Will Barnet is a renowned 20th century American artist known for his depictions of family and personal scenarios.
• Sir Samuel George Bonham Carter, 1st Baronet (1837–1908), British banker and consul, created a Baronet a British hereditary title and postnominal honour.
• Sir Arthur William Barnet (1832-1869) was a collector of excise in New South Wales and became known as the "Father of Australian Cricket".
• Dame Margot Fonteyn (real name Margaret Hookham), sometimes referred to with the stage surname of "Barnet" as well, was an iconic ballerina of the 20th Century and prima ballerina assoluta of the Royal Ballet.
• George Barnet is an Australian footballer who played for West Coast Eagles.
• Jim Barnet is an American physician and politician from the state of Mississippi.
• Charlie Barnet was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader.
• Carol Barnet is an American playwright and novelist.
• Cyrille Barnet was a French naval engineer.
• Piers Barnet is an English footballer who has played for several clubs, including Brentford and Bury Town.

Other surnames

BarnerBarnesBarnetskieBarnettBarnetteBarnettsonBarnevilleBarnewallBarney