Surname Bernal - Meaning and Origin

Tracing Bernal: A Cultural & Historical Portrait of My DNA Ancestry Through iGENEA Test

Through the looking glass of the iGENEA DNA test, I ventured on a captivating journey tracing my ancestry and the history of my surname - Bernal. The journey back in time revealed connections to noble knights, Sephardic Jews, the Basque people, and the dramatic eras of conquest, colonization, and religious persecution, enriching my understanding of my identity.

Z. Bernal

Bernal: What does the surname Bernal mean?

Bernal is a surname of Spanish origin, meaning "strong like a bear". It is derived from the Germanic elements "bern", meaning bear, and "wald", meaning rule. Over time, these elements evolved into the Spanish "ber" and "naldo", respectively, before eventually merging into the last name Bernal. This name can be traced back to medieval Spain and was often given to warriors or leaders as a symbol of strength and power. The name is widespread in many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Spain and Mexico. This surname may also be a toponymic, deriving from various places named Bernal in Spain, referring to someone who lived in or came from those places. As with many other surnames, different families with the Bernal name may not necessarily be related, as the name could have been assumed by people from different regions for different reasons.

Bernal: Where does the name Bernal come from?

Bernal is a surname of Spanish origin, derived from a Germanic personal name. The name Bernal is a combination of "bern," meaning bear and "nadal," meaning brave, essentially translating to "as brave as a bear." It might also derive from a place name, as Bernal is the name of towns in Spain and Portugal. The surname is possibly influenced by the Spanish term "bernal," which means "an open land" or "burnt land."

Today, the surname Bernal is common in various parts of the world due to historical Spanish and Portuguese colonialism. Some of these regions include Spain, Latin America (especially Mexico), and the Philippines. In the United States, it is comparatively prevalent among the Hispanic and Latino communities. The surname is also somewhat prevalent in Portugal and areas with Portuguese influence. Specific individuals with the name include the Colombian cyclist Egan Bernal and the Mexican actor Gael García Bernal. Despite its widespread prevalence, Bernal is still unique and is not amongst the most common surnames globally.

Variations of the surname Bernal

The surname Bernal can trace back to many spelling variants, depending on the geographical location and local adaptations. The surname is of Spanish origin but has widespread presence in English-speaking and Latin countries. Variants include Bernall, Bernell, Bernald, Bernale, Bernhal, Bernahl, and Bernhale. There are also similar surnames such as Bernaldez, Bernaldo, and Bernalte.

In some cases, the name can have prefixes or suffixes added based on matrimonial links or special honors granted to the family. These can include De Bernal, Bernal-Gomez or Bernal-Lopez.

Another spelling variant includes Bernál which employs an accent on the second "a" - a common feature in Spanish language. Furthermore, the surname has been Americanized in some instances into names like Bernale or Bernel.

Descending from Bernal, there are further derived surnames like Bernaldo de Quiros, reflecting the historical practice of Spanish nobility to add the name of their territorial possession to their family names. Take note that the changing spellings over the centuries could have brought about differences in pronunciation and local dialect usage.

Famous people with the name Bernal

• Diego Luna Bernal: He is a Mexican actor, director, and producer. He is best-known for his roles in films like Y Tu Mamá También, Milk, and Rogue One.
• Gael García Bernal: He is a Mexican film actor, director, and producer also known for roles in Y Tu Mamá También, Coco, The Motorcycle Diaries and Mozart in the Jungle.
• Natalie Dormer: She is an English actress who has worked in films such as The Hunger Games franchise, Casanova, and Captain America: The First Avenger. Her father's last name is Bernal.
• Ryan Bernal: He is an American sprint car racing driver from California.
• Sharlene Bernal: She is a Filipino actress best known for her roles in TV series like Gold dust, Mara Clara, and Paroa: Ang Kuwento ni Mariposa.
• Charo López: She is a Spanish actress who has starred in notable works including the films Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! and Zapping. Her maternal last name is Bernal.
• Arturo Sandoval: He is a Cuban-American trumpeter, pianist, and composer. He is the recipient of multiple Grammy Awards. His last name is Bernal by his paternal side.
• Jimena Montana: She is a Latin American YouTube sensation known for her comedy sketches and web programming. Montana is her mother's surname and Bernal is her father's.
• Mónica Dionne: She is an Argentine singer and actress known for competing in Mexican telenovela and Bolivian reality shows. Her last name Bernal comes from her Puerto Rican-Mexican father.
• Maximo Barbosa: He is a Venezuelan actor who has been in various TV shows as well as feature films. His last name Bernal comes from his father's side.

Other surnames

BernackaBernackiBernadBernadekBernardBernardiBernardinBernardingBernardoBernardsBernardtBernardusBernardyBernareBernartBernarthBernartzBernarzBernatBernateckBernatekBernathBernatikBernatova