Sir Henry Bernard, of Acorn Bank

Burke records the Bernard family of Castle Bernard and Palace Anne as having descended from Sir Henry Bernard (grandson of "Sir Francis Bernard of Acorn Bank" ) who married Anne, daughter of Sir John Dawson of Westmorland.

According to the College of Arms, there is no historical evidence to support the existence of any of the Bernard family at Acorn Bank in Westmoreland. Furthermore, none of the officially registered pedigrees of the Earls of Bandon begin with anyone earlier than Francis in 1659. http://www.bandon-genealogy.com/Bernards_of_Castle_Bernard.htm

The surname "Dawson" however, provided for Anne (wife of Sir Henry) - could be a version or variation of Dalston. A similar confusion of the names is recorded in other Irish genealogies and could possibly explain the Bernard family's claim of a connection to Acorn Bank in Westmorland. https://books.google.co.za/books?id=qf4GAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA581&lpg=PA581...

Citations:

• "A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland" Vol 4, John Burke, 1838, Pg 32 "Bernard of Palace Anne" https://books.google.co.za/books?id=6AtBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&d...
• A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies of England, Ireland and Scotland, John Burke, Sir Bernard Burke, 1834. "Dalston of Dalston" https://books.google.co.za/books?id=LKIKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA149&lpg=PA149...