Surname Bearse - Meaning and Origin

Bearse: What does the surname Bearse mean?

Bearse is a last name of English origin. The surname is believed to be derived from the Old English term "berhus" which translates to "barley house". This refers to a granary or a barn for storing barley. The occupants of such a house might have adopted the term as their surname. Thus, individuals bearing the surname Bearse might be descendants of people involved in farming, particularly those who managed granaries or were involved in the production and storage of barley. Additionally, it is also possible that the name might refer to people who resided by such barley houses. It is also worth mentioning that spelling variations for the surname Bearse exist which includes Bears, Bearss, and Bearse. Like many surnames, tracing the exact origin and meaning can be challenging due to changes in language and spelling over centuries. However, the generally accepted root ties to an agricultural background.

Bearse: Where does the name Bearse come from?

The surname Bearse is of Anglo-Saxon origin, specifically from England. It comes from an Old English personal name "Beornheard," which combines the elements, "beorn," meaning young warrior, and "heard," meaning brave or hardy. This given name would have been bestowed upon someone who was strong and brave in battle. Bearse may have evolved as a variant of the surname Barnes or it could have developed through a phonetic spelling from the pronunciation of the English word "bear".

The largest population of people with the surname Bearse today is in the United States, with notable concentrations in the state of Massachusetts. It is also relatively common in Canada. The surname is not very common globally, but there is also a small presence of Bearse families in the United Kingdom and Australia. In the United States, the Bearse family prominently settled during the Great Migration (1620 to 1640), particularly in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Augustine Bearse, a British settler to America in 1638, is a known progenitor of the Bearse line in the United States.

Variations of the surname Bearse

The surname Bearse primarily originates from Europe, notably England. Variants and deviations in spelling over the years may result from migration, regional dialects, and phonetic transliterations. Some alternative spellings and surnames of the same origin or possibly linked to "Bearse" include "Bearce," "Bearss," "Bear," "Bears," and "Bares".

Another version, "Bierce," can be found, which was popularized by the American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, and satirist Ambrose Bierce, although it's unclear if this surname has a direct connection to "Bearse".

Historically, it's also worthy to note the Mayflower passenger Augustine Bearse – his surname has also been recorded variably as "Bearse," "Burse," "Burce," or "Bears" in several documents.

These alternate spellings and surnames may not represent exhaustive variants but provide an insight into how the surname "Bearse" could have diversified over time and across geographies.

Famous people with the name Bearse

• Amanda Bearse: She is a famous American actress, director, and comedian. She's best known for her role as Marcy D'Arcy on the sitcom 'Married... with Children'.
• Justin Bearse: A known television editor and director, Justin has worked on shows such as "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn."
• William Bearse: Although not famous in the traditional sense, William Bearse was a prominent American pioneer and ancestor of the Bearse family in America. His descendants include Amanda Bearse. While there are many individuals with the last name Bearse, few have gained significant fame or recognition.

Other surnames

BearsBearss