start Nederlands | start English | surname meaning | oldest known persons | Flanders 18-1900s |
The origin of the
name goes back to the first name 'Bernard'. This name originated in the Germanic
language. It was originally Bernharding from two parts 'beran' meaning Bear and
'hardu' meaning hard (strong). Therefore the man who was called Beranhardu or
Bernhard was "strong as a bear".
The surname Beernaert has
taken many forms today and in the past, such as Beernaert, Beirnaert, Bernaert,
Bernard, Beernaerts, Bernhardt, Bernaards, Bernaers, Bernaerts, Bernarda,
Bernards, Bernardus, Bernart, Berndsen, Bernhard, Bernt, Berntsen, Beernaerts,
Beirnaert, Beirnaerts. …
Bernard is most common in
the French speaking regions of Belgium and in France. Bernard is also the
English form of the name. The Beernaerts with -s at the end are more likely to
be found in the region of Antwerpen and Limburg. The Beirnaert spelling is more
common in East Flanders.
In
West Flanders Bernaert
seems to be the oldest form. But starting around 1550 Beernaert is very common
in some places.
1243, Brugge - .. iacent in Beernaerts acker .. te Sysseele
situated
in Beernaerts field .. at Sijsele
1290, Brugge - .. Willelmo,
Johannii … orphanis Willelmi Bernard …
Willelm,
Johan .. the orphans of Willelm Bernard
1327, Kortrijk - in de Riselstrate tusschen Impin Bernaerts huus ende erve
in
the street toward Rijssel (Lille, France) between the house of Impin Bernaert and his
land
1341, Brugge - Clais Bernards was lid van de gilde van goud- en zilversmeden
Clais
Bernard was member of the guild of gold- and silversmiths
1371, Brugge/Oedelem - Lamsin Bernaerde uit Oedelem werd poorter van Brugge.
Lamin
Bernaerde from Oedelem became burgher of Brugge
1417, Kortrijk - Lamin Bernaert es betaelt van dat hy wrochte int pilen ende
paelplancken van den torre
Lamin
Bernaert was paid for his work- the piles, the poles and the planks for the
tower
1473, Kortrijk/Leuven, Daniel Bernard van Kortrijk schreef zich in aan de
universiteit te Leuven.
Daniel
Bernard from Kortrijk was inscribed at the university of Leuven.
1500, Tielt/Leuven, Martinus Bernard van Tielt schreef zich in aan de
universiteit van Leuven.
Martin
Bernard from Tielt was inscribed at the university of Leuven
1554, Tielt/Leuven, Guilliame Bernaert van Tielt was van 1554 tot 1571
professor in de medicijnen te Leuven.
Guilliame
Bernaert from Tielt was professor of medicine at the university of Leuven from
1554 at 1571.
Guilliame
Bernaert was a colleague of Rembert Dodoens (medical doctor of the city of
Mechelen) , Willem Pantin (medical doctor of the city of Brugge) and of the
well known Andreas Vesalius.
Marcel Blanchaer lives in Canada and has Flemish ancestors. He started a website with descriptions of daily live in those days. To be found at the following address:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~belghist/