Origins of the Surname: Barnhill


This is believed to be a surname of Scottish origins, but it may also for a few nameholders at least, be English.

It is definately locational and may originate from the village of Barnhill in Tayside, or for most nameholders, Barnhill in Lanarkshire, formerly a village but now a part of the city of Glasgow.

However there is also a village so named in the county of Cheshire in England, and it is possible that the recordings found in English registers, may originate from this village. The village name and hence the later surname, whether English or Scottish, derives from the Olde English pre 7th century word or personal name "beorn" meaning bright, plus "hyll," a hill. So the meaning of the surname may be Beorn's hill or the bright hill, either being possible.