A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barnhill family of Wales.
treeLife, endurance and deep rootsSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. a tree eradicated ppr”
The Barnhill arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Wales in this period.
Reigning in Wales when the Barnhill arms are first recorded.
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
The family name Barnhill is a locational surname, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is composed of the Old English words "bere," meaning barley, and "hyll," meaning hill, which suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent hill where barley was cultivated. While the name is often associated with Scottish origins, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in Denbigh, Wales, by 1647. During this period, families often moved across the British Isles due to shifting economic conditions and the movement of laborers. By settling in Denbigh, the early Barnhills became part of the local social fabric in a town known for its historic castle and strategic importance. This transition from a rural, land-based name to a documented presence in a Welsh town highlights the family's long history of adapting to new environments while maintaining their ancestral identity.
Old English words for warrior or bear and a raised landform.
