Berkeleian, Berkeleianism, and Berkeleyism, found in the Oxford Dictionary, derive from George Berkeley (1685-1753), metaphysical philosopher, whose Essay towards a New Theory of Vision expounds a denial of the objective existence of the material world.
This developed from the central thesis that the material world depends for its actuality on being perceived, asserting that it is the mind, not matter, that creates. Regarded by many as Ireland's greatest philosopher, he was born in Dysart castle, Co Kilkenny, and created Bishop of Cloyne in 1734.
He opposed freethinkers, advocated religious tolerance, and was the author of many works of philosophy, religion, politics and travel. Whereas his thoughts stimulated the major European philosophers, his belief in the universal application of tar water as a panacea "shows eccentricity" (Irish Writers: Brady & Cleeve 1985).
Places in England with birch woods quite sensibly came to be known as Birch Wood, which in turn was used to identify persons from such places. This evolved into the surname Berkeley, which later took the form Barclay in Scotland. In Ireland, or more specifically in Co Cork, where it was formerly numerous, it became Brickley and Breckley from the 13th century.
Telephone entries south of the Border list 19 each of Berkeley and Barclay, six Barkleys, and 31 Brickleys, 19 of which are in the 02 area of Co Cork. North of the Border there are 52 Barclay entries, with two each of Berkeley and Brickley.
Francis Barclay, gent, not noted in the Oxford Dictionary, left his mark on late 16th century Ireland. In 1585 he was granted the office of provost marshal of the province of Connaught and Thomond, in which same year he was a member of a commission to execute martial law therein.
Two years later he was again a member of a commission which included Adam, archbishop of Dublin, the lord chancellor, bishops, earls, lords, justices etc, "to be commissioners in the province of Connaght, to take musters and array of the inhabitants, and assess them, according to their lands and goods, in horses, arms, horsemen, and footmen; to raise and distribute men for defence of the country; to punish, fine and imprison disobedient persons and rebels".
In 1586 he was leased the rectory of Reban, alias Rabran, in m'William Ewghter's country, Co Mayo, and in 1590 he was granted the lands of Mohinerly, Kilrahenagh, Ballymore etc, also all the lands in the town of Asketon, excepting the castle with 40 acres, "to hold, by the name of Rock Barkley, for ever".
He was again a member of a commission in 1594 to put into execution the acts of Supremacy and Uniformity in the dioceses of Limerick, Cork, Cloyne and Roscarbery. In 1597 he was granted the office of constable of the castle of Limerick; in 1599 he was commissioned to execute martial law in Co Limerick, and in Munster the following year.
Arnold Berkeley, itinerant justice at Dublin in 1260, was stated to be `unknown and certainly unprofessional', and in much the same line of business was Nicholas de Berkeleye, clerk of the common bench in Dublin in 1285.
The Justiciary Rolls of Ireland notes that Henry de Berkeley was bailiff in a case in 1308 at Limerick, concerning a tenement at Rathgalwigh, and at the same venue in 1311 Agnes de Berkeley was charged with instigating another to rob, and Nicholas de Berkeleye was among the jurors in a hearing about `burglariously' entering. In 1312 at the same venue was the case concerning the theft of a cow from Henry de Berkely.
Taylor & Skinners Maps of the Roads of Ireland (1778) shows a Dr Barclay south of Middleton, Co Cork, and Barclay Esq, at Ballyartney, Co Clare. ?????????????/eitine, `the waterfall of Geitine', Geitine possibly being a personal name.
All of this information is contained in The Irish Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns (1521-1603). A Census of Ireland 1659 lists two Barclay tituladoes - one at Lifford, Co Donegal, and one at Rafgill (Rathgill) Co Down.