Capt. Matthew Barnwell

Ireland Nobility

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.

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

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 Barnwells flourished in Ireland and England for five hundred years, and had been loyal subjects of the Crown, receiving just recoginition for their allegiance by being dubbed barons and receiving other ennobling titles and lands. Through many centuries the Barnwells supported the English Crown; but in the last decades of the seventeenth century the family, including John Barnwell’s father Matthew, had joined the ongoing struggle for Ireland’s freedom from the Crown. Matthew Barnwell, alderman of his native Dublin in 1688, was killed in the siege of Derry in 1690 while serving as captain in the Irish army. Family lands, including Archerstown estate, were lost when the Barnwells joined the revolution. Some Barnwell heirs attmeted to regain their holdings at war’s end; some took flight to the Continent. John set out for America.

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.

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

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 Barnwells flourished in Ireland and England for five hundred years, and had been loyal subjects of the Crown, receiving just recoginition for their allegiance by being dubbed barons and receiving other ennobling titles and lands. Through many centuries the Barnwells supported the English Crown; but in the last decades of the seventeenth century the family, including John Barnwell’s father Matthew, had joined the ongoing struggle for Ireland’s freedom from the Crown. Matthew Barnwell, alderman of his native Dublin in 1688, was killed in the siege of Derry in 1690 while serving as captain in the Irish army. Family lands, including Archerstown estate, were lost when the Barnwells joined the revolution. Some Barnwell heirs attmeted to regain their holdings at war’s end; some took flight to the Continent. John set out for America.

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