Last updated 8th September 1998

Introduction

My name is Dave Barnwell. I have been researching the BARNWELL family for a couple years and during that time have collected items that may be interesting to other BARNWELL and BARNWALL researchers. The information on these pages I hope will help fellow Barnwell's and Barnwall's in search of their roots.

If you have any related information that you'd like to share or see areas that require correction please let me know. I will naturally give reference to you and the original source. I'd be happy to include it in this web page, if you wish, a link to your own web page or e:mail address. You can reach me, at Dave Barnwell

Click here if you If you would like to go to the Barnwell & Barnwall guestbook

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Barnwell History in Ireland

The very old and historic name of Barnwell is Norman- Irish and appears to have been derived from Berneval (or Barneval or Barneville) during the 11th century or much earlier.

During the 12th Century Sir Michael de Berneval or Barneval was the first of the family who settled in Ireland landing at Beerhaven in the county of Cork. This was during the period of conquest of Ireland by Strongbow, in the reign of Henry II. According to records, Berneval landed in Beerhaven, Cork, before Strongbow landed in Leinster. He is also mentioned in the records of the Tower of London, London, England as one of the chief captains of the expedition to Ireland in 1172. . Sir Michael was a direct descendant to Alanus de Berneval , who was a successful soldier and “Companion in Arms” to the famous Norman Invader, William the Conqueror.

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Irish Nobility

Alanus de Berneval is mentioned in the records of the Tower of London, England as one of the chief captains of the expedition to Ireland in 1172.

In the 13th Century Sir Michael de Berneval was the first of the family who settled Ireland he landed at Beerhaven in the county of Cork. This was during the period of the conquest of Ireland by Strongbow, in the reign of Henry II. According to tradition, the Berneval’s landed much earlier than this, and previous even to the landing of Strongbow in Leinster. Sir Michael was a direct descendant to Alanus de Berneval

Of the three principal lines of the Irish line of Barnewall/Barnwell, the baronets of Crickstown are the eldest, their representative and the present chief of the family is Sir Reginald Barnewall the 8th baronet. Next in order to the house of Crickstown comes the branch of the Lords Trimleston, whose peerage, created in 1461, is still extant, and the 2nd barony on the roll of the Irish peers. The late Thomas Barnewall, was the 16th lord. The youngest of the branches of this family was that of the Viscount of Kingsland

The Irish Lineage’s of the family is as follows:

ALANUS DE BERNEVAL , who left two sons, HUGO and REGINALD, was succeeded by the eldest, HUGO DE BERNEVAL, who received two marks as the King’s gift for his expenses on going on into Ireland, 23rd August 1212. The King’s mandate, sent to Geoffry de Marisco, directed that Hugh de Berneval should have seisin of his land at Drumenagh and Terenure in the vale of Dublin, 12 December 1216. He d.s.p. before 24th January 1220 - 1221, when a mandate for seisin of his lands was granted to his brother and heir, REGINALD.

REGINALD DE BERNEVAL, who was restored to the lands in Drumenagh and Terenure on 24th January 1228-1229. He had a grant, 27th November 1233, of £20 per year for his maintenance on the King’s service (mandate dated 28th September 1234). He was succeeded by his son, ULPHRAM (or WOLFRAM).

ULPHRAM (or WOLFRAM) DE BERNEVAL, of Drumenagh, who was constable of Dublin Castle, 12 December 1279 - 1281, sheriff of Dublin in 1284 - 1289. He was a witness, in 1289, to a deed between Hugh Tyrell and the Prior and |Convent of the All Saints, near Dublin. He married Mary, only daughter and heiress of Sir William Molyneux, Kt of Molagh, co. Meath, and was succeeded by his son, REGINALD.

REGINALD DE BERNEVAL, of Drumenagh, who paid five shillings for Drumenagh, as subsidy to the King for the war against the Scots in 1299. He married a daughter of Sir Conway Clifford, Kt. and was succeeded by his son, REGINALD.

REGINALD DE BERNEVAL, of Drumenagh. In 1309 he gave thirty shillings for the army of Loxenedy, and in 1313 he paid his service for the expedition to the Castle Keyvening, under Piers Gaveston. He died in 1331, seised of a water mill, dovecote, and profits of the Courts of Drumenagh and Terenure, co. Dublin, when he was succeeded by his son, ULPHRAM.

ULPHRAM DE BERNEVAL, of Drumenagh, who had livery of his estates, 2nd September 1331, (16) Edward III. He married Sarah daughter of Berford of Moynet, and was succeeded by his son , REGINALD.

REGINALD DE BERNEVAL, of Drumenagh, who contributed towards the expedition to Mallow, under Walter de Bermingham in 1372 and in 1374 paid royal service to the expedition to Kilkenny under William of Windsor. He married Jannetta, daughter of Cusac of Killeen, and left two sons,

1. Ulphram (or Wolfram), who succeeded to Drumenagh. He was living seised of the Manor of Ballythermot, in 1400. His descendants continued to reside at Drumenagh until the reign of JAMES 1, when his line terminated in an heiress, Elizabeth, daughter of Marcus Barneval of Drumenagh, who married James Barnewall of Bremore, and sold the property, 1st February 1607, to Sir Adam Loftus, Kt. of Rathfarnham.

2.Nicholas, ancestor of the baronets of Crickstown. His 2nd son:

NICHOLAS DE BERNEVAL, of Crickstown, co. Meath, married a daughter of Clifford, and died before 1386, having had issue a son, CHRISTOPHER.

SIR CRISTOPHER DE BERNEVAL, of Crickstown. The custody of forty eight shillings rent issuing out of Lucyansiston, Meath held by Nicholas de Berneval, deceased, of Roger, Earl of Ulster, the King’s Ward, and in the King’s hands by the minority of Christopher de Berneval, his son and heir, was granted to Richard Plunkett 11th? April, 1386. Sir Christopher married Eleanor daughter of Sir Nicholas Rochford, Kt. of Rathcoffie, co. Kildare, and Kilbride, Meath and had issue.

1. CHRISTOPHER (Sir) is successor.

2. John of Frankstown , Sheriff of Meath 1435-6, ancestor of the VISCOUNTS OF KINGSLAND .

3. Barnaby, one of the Barons of the Exchequer. He was succeeded by his eldest son, CHRISTOPHER. Sir CHRISTOPHER BARNEWALL, Kt. of Crickstown, who was Serjeant-at-Law in 1408, Lord Treasurer of Ireland in 1436, and Chief Justice of the King’s Bench in 1446. He married Matilda Drake, daughter and heiress of the last lord of Drakestown and Drakerath and had issue:

1.NICHOLAS (Sir) his successor.

2. Robert, Lord High Chancellor of Ireland, created 4th March 1461 BARON TRIMLESTOWN.

Sir Christopher mentioned above was succeeded by his elder son:

Sir NICHOLAS BARNEWALL, Kt. of Crickstown, who was appointed in consideration for his good and faithful services to the House of York during the war of the Roses, Chief -Justice of the Court, Common Pleas, in Ireland, for life, by patent, dated 1st August 1461. He married Ismay, daughter and heiress to Sir Robert Serjeant, Kt. Castleknock, co. Dublin, and had issue:

1. CHRISTOPHER (Sir), his successor.

2. Edmund, ancestor of BARNEWALL of Dunbrow.

Sir Nicholas was succeeded by his elder son:

Sir CHRISTOPHER BARNEWALL, Kt. of Crickstown married Ellen Butler daughter of Edmund, Lord of Dunboyne and had issue,

1. EDMUND, his successor.

2. George, ancestor of BARNEWALL of Arrodstown, whose representative George Barnewall, of Cookstown, was living in 1615.

3. Robert, ancestor of BARNEWALL, of Moylagh, whose representative, Patrick Barnewall, succeeded to the estate in 1632.

4. Barnabus, whose line ended with his grandson, Edmund Barnewall.

Sir Christopher was succeeded by his eldest son:

EDMUND BARNEWALL, of Crickstown, who was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Plunkett, Kt. of Dunsoghly, and had issue,

1. CHRISTOPHER (Sir), his successor

1. Anne, married Oliver Nugent, of Drumcairne.

2. Genet, married Sir Robert Dillon.

Mr. Barnewall died 7th August, and was by his son :

1. SIR CHRISTOPHER BARNEWALL, Kt. of Crickstown, who married (dispensed? from the Archbishop of Canterbury 1517) Catherine Fleming daughter of the 13th Lord Slane, sister and sole heiress of the 14th Lord Slane, heir of her grandmother, Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir William Welles Lord Chancellor of Ireland , brother of Lionel Welles, Lord Lieut. of Ireland, and had with other issue, an elder son.

Sir Christopher was succeeded by his elder son :

SIR PATRICK BARNEWALL, Kt. of Crickstown, living 1578 was knighted in 1566 . From his extensive possession he was designated the Knight of the Broad Acre. He married Margaret, daughter of Sir Patrick Barnewall, Kt. of Turvey, and had, with other issue:

1. RICHARD (Sir), his successor.

2. Robert, of Stackallan, living 1615 , married Alison daughter of James Brandon of Dundalk , and was ancestor of BARNEWALL of Stackallan

3. John, of Cookstown married Mary, daughter of James Brandon of Dundalk and had a son, George.

Sir Patrick died before 1603, and was succeeded by his eldest son:

SIR RICHARD BARNEWALL, Kt. of Crickstown, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Oliver Plunkett, Kt. (later to become Saint) of Rathmore, Meath by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of James Cusack, of Portrane, and had with other issue:

1. PATRICK (Sir), his successor, 1st Baronet.

2. James, a soldier in Spain d.s.p.

3. John, a monk of the order of St. Francis

4. Barnaby, a Capuchin Friar, several times reader, guardian and reader of Divinity in France, and Superior of the Irish Capuchins in Ireland.

Sir Richard was succeeded by his eldest son:

Sir Patrick Barnewall, 1st Baronet, of Crickstown, so created 21st February 1622-3. His will is dated 24th March, 1615, with a codicil added in June, 1624. Sir Patrick married Hon. Cicely Fleming (died 1628), daughter of the 16th Lord Slane, and had issue, four sons and three daughters of whom:

1. RICHARD (Sir), 2nd Baronet

2. John, of Athronan, recorded in his fathers funeral certificate, in Ulster’s office, married Anne, daughter of James Barnewall, of Bremore, and had issue, with three daughter’s and two sons, of whom the elder, James, of Roskeen, Queen’s Co. ,married Margaret, daughter of Col. John Legge, 4th son of Edward Legge, Vice President of Munster, and uncle of the 1st Lord Dartmouth, and died 1692, having issue, a daughter, Anne who married William Dillon, of Flemingstown, and had three sons:

(1) Barnaby, of Ballyard, who married, Jane daughter of Kedagh Georghegan of Carne and Jamestown, and had issue, three sons, and one daughter, of whom:

1s. GEORGE (Sir) 5th Baronet

(2) George, d.s.p.

(3) James, married Margery, daughter of Kedagh Georghegan, of Carne and Jamestown During the time of the King George III there was considerable distress in the Barnewall family when Thomas, son of Baron Trimlestown converted to the Protestant religion and according to law in Ireland, was entitled to the family estates.

In 1800 a petition of [Anne Barnewall] Baroness Dowager Trimlestown to King George III; n.d. it refers to the reasons that she is reduced 'to a state of distress little short of absolute want'; comments on her marriage with Robert, Baron Trimlestown and their unhappy relations with her husband's son by a former marriage, Thomas, the late Baron; mentions that Thomas converted to the Protestant religion and according to law in Ireland, was entitled to the family estates, leaving his father with only a 'life interest'; Thomas also contested his father's will; the petitioner, despite winning these legal battles, lost almost everything in legal costs. The document refers to Lord Carleton, Lord Kilwarden and Sir Michael Smith to verify her story; solicits financial help from the duke .

Copy petition from [Anne Barnewall] Baroness Dowager Trimlestown to King George III; n.d. [1800] [Closely follows preceding document. Addressed 'to his most excellent Majesty', but endorsed 'For his grace the Duke of Portland'.

Letter from [Anne Barnewall] Baroness Dowager Trimlestown, Buckingham Gate, James's Street, London to [W.H.C. Bentinck] 3rd Duke of Portland; 26 May 1800 Sends to duke her petition and a copy and asks him to give it to the King; refers to Lord Carysfort's kindness and hopes for duke's official support for her cause; argues that in petition she has understated her misery and that if she is not given help she will fall into 'the most deplorable want'.

Anthony Edward Barnewell, the 20th Baron Trimlestown Lord Trimlestown (Old Amplefordian) died at the age of 69 on 19th August 1997. A veteran of the Irish Guards, by the time he succeeded to the title in 1990 he lived in Michigan, being married to a daughter of the late Judge Thomas Francis McAllister of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. His brother, Raymond Barnewell, who lives in England, now succeeds to this title, but he is apparently the very last of the line. The title, which is in the peerage of Ireland and thus carries no seat in the Lords, dates to 1461, making it the oldest title to have no heir in prospect at the present time and appears headed for extinction!

Over many years the original name has changed it’s spelling, from the original form - de Berneval. Other forms are:
de Barneval, (de) Barnewall, (de)Barnewell,(de) Barnewelle (de) Barnwell(s), (de) Barnwall(s) and the Galicized form (Irish) of the name is (de) Bearnabhal.

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Dublin County

Turvey House:

Situated on the outskirts of Dublin north west of Donabate. It was originally built in 1565 from the ruins of Grace Dieu Abbey, founded for nuns of the order of St Augustine. At the dissolution of the abbey the plea was made that “in the house the women-kind of the most part of the whole Englishry of this land be brought up in virtue, learning and in English tongue and behaviour”, but the plea did not save it. An 18th-c house has been built from the remains of the earlier building. The house was owned and occupied by the Barnewall/ Barnwell family.

St Patrick's, Donabate:

The present church in Donabate was opened in 1903 and dedicated by Archbishop Walsh. The parish hall was built as a church in 1803 on a site donated by the Barnewell family.

Lusk:

Comprised of an old church round tower and a medieval belfry. The belfry houses an exhibition on medieval churches of North County Dublin and also the 16th century effigy tomb of Sir Christopher Barnewall and his wife Marion Sharl. The adjoining "Willie Monks Folk Museum" houses many interesting artefacts and displays. Open mid June-mid Sept.

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Dublin City

Roebuck Castle, Belfield, Dublin:

The Faculty of Law University College Dublin is housed in Roebuck Castle on the college's Belfield campus, located three miles south of the city centre of Dublin. All of the Faculty's teaching takes place at the Roebuck Castle complex.

Though it has several later accretions, the core of Roebuck Castle dates back to the fifteenth century. Until 1856 it belonged to the successive Lords Trimleston, whose surname 'Barnewall' is famous in early Irish legal history. In 1423 Christopher Barnewall is recorded as 'the king's serjeant at law in Ireland'. His great-grandson John (son of the first Lord Trimleston) appears as 'king's attorney' in 1504, thus beginning an official career which led to a judgeship and, finally, the office of Chancellor in 1534. In that same year John's nephew Patrick became King's Serjeant; he was to play an important role in the political sphere and contrived to enhance his family's fortunes during the dissolution of the Irish monasteries. He became Master of the Rolls in 1550.

The Barnewall family did not embrace the reformed faith and one of its members, Sir Patrick Barnewall of Turvey, played a significant part in the celebrated episode of the 'mandates' in 1604. The fines fixed by Irish statutes for the offence of failing to attend services of the established church were too small to secure religious conformity, so the Irish executive issued leading members of the Catholic community with a document commanding them 'under the broad seal upon duty of allegiance' to attend such services. This they declined to do, Barnewall arguing strenuously that such a recourse to prerogative power was illegal. Legal proceedings before the Court of Castle Chamber followed and those who had disobeyed the commands were imprisoned. Eventually, however, as a result of Barnewall's advocacy, the English council ordered a change in policy and the prisoners - including Barnewall - were released.

In 1856 the Castle was sold to the Westby family, which has left its traces in the nineteenth and twentieth century Irish Law reports. The Castle was purchased by a religious order, the Little Sisters of the Poor, in 1943. University College Dublin acquired the property in 1986.

Drimnagh Castle, Drimnagh, Dublin:

Click here if you If you would like to go to a superb site showing Drimnagh Castle, it's history and the Barnwell's Drimnagh Castle

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Meath County

County Meath consists almost entirely of a rich limestone plain, with occasional low hills. 'Royal Meath' was for centuries a separate province which included the area of County Westmeath. It was ruled by the kings of pagan and Early Christian Ireland. There is much to interest the visitor by way of scenic beauty and of historic sites, particularly in the Boyne Valley. There are also seaside resorts along the county's coastline.

Famous Meathmen

Trimblestown Castle

The crest of the Barnewall - Lords Trimlestown (Sir Reginald Barnewall) in Ireland comprises of a rainbow hued plume. The crest is one of the most verigated ever known by certain heraldic authors. Upon a wreath of the colours, from a plume of five ostrich feathers, or gules, azure, vert and argent a falcon rising of the last with the motto “Malo mori quam foedari” (trans. I would rather die than be disgraced)

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Carlow County

The Bagenal family for many years played a notable role in the history of County Carlow. According to Philip Bagenal (to whom we are indebted for a fascinating account of his forebears and for much of what follows), the Bagenals had, under the Tudors, achieved considerable success. By grants from the Crown and by purchase, they had acquired large estates, and had gained power, both political and military. The second generation had married in to the social and religious environment of a pleasant and free community. They talked the Irish language as well as English, and had become Irish subjects loyal to the throne of England. The Reformation had made little headway in Ireland. All the older English families held to the ancient faith. It is an example of life's curious ironies that a man descended from an English Tudor settler of Protestant faith should have become absorbed into the Catholic community of Ireland, should have spent the best years of his life and come by his death in direct conflict with the Protestant and puritan spirit of the country of his origin. Walter Bagenal was twenty-seven years of age when the great rebellion broke out in Ireland in the year 1641. He had apparently every prospect of happiness. He was young, not long married to Eleanor Barnewell, possessed of an estate which was measured in miles instead of acres. He was established in a new home at Dunleckney, but during the years of peace early in the seventeenth century, suddenly the bottom dropped out of his world. He became immediately and deeply involved in the politics and military operations of the next twelve years until a tragic death on the scaffold ended his career at Kilkenny in 1652. By reason of his Catholic upbringing, your Bagenal found himself bound up with the fortunes of the old Catholic Anglo-Irish families of the Pale, with whom four of his aunts had inter-married. He was thus connected by blood with the Barnewells, Nangles, Fitzgeralds, Butlers and O'Moore's - all people of the highest influence in the province of Leinster. The immediate result of the rebellion of 1641 was that at least five Irish parties sprang into existence, all aiming at certain common objectives, nearly all loyal to the King, but opposed to the Puritan movement; suspicious of each other, and far from agreed upon the best method of procedure.

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Barnwell/ Barnwall’s from Ireland

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Names I am researching

I am researching the following:

ALLEN, BARNWELL, BARNEWELL, BARNWALL, BARNEWALL, BERNEVAL, BACHELOR, BARLOW, BELLINIE or BELLENIE, CHAPMAN, CORE, KNAGGS, GERLOCK, GIBBS, JAKES, JESSUP, PRITCHARD, SEARCH, TAPLEY, WASTELL, WHITE

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Books

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Links

Dave Barnwell Homepage

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My Links - General

If you're interested in family history research, subscribing to a mailing list is a good way to share knowledge and make contact with others of similar interests. The ROOTSWEB site is the home of numerous such lists. It also houses the ROOTS-L surname list, a massive source of names.

Ireland Genealogy - WorldGenWeb Project is a good starting point for Irish research

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Your Links

If you would like a link to your own webpage or your E:mail address, you can reach me, at Dave Barnwell

References

1. Peerage and Baronetage

2. Burke’s Peerage

3. Pl C 10/9 1800 (c) The University of Nottingham Library Manuscripts and Special Collections Portland (London) Correspondence: Political correspondence of W.H. Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809); plus miscellaneous correspondence and other papers, 1727-1826

4.Date established from document Pl C 10/11. 2 ff Pl C 10/10 1800 (c) Political correspondence of W.H. Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809).

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