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Show ContentsBarbar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The Barbar surname is derived from the Anglo-Norman French word "barbier," in turn from the Late Latin "barbarius," or "barba, " meaning "beard." As such, it was originally an occupational name for a barber, who in Medieval times, not only cut hair and gave shaves, but also practiced surgery and pulled teeth. 1

Alternatively, the name could have been Norman in origin from: St. Barbe sur Gaillon, a location in Normandy, where was the celebrated abbey of St. Barbara. Bernard Barb and de Barbes, were tenants in the Domesday Book, St. Barbe is on the Roll of Battell Abbey. William de St. Barbara, Bishop of Durham, A.D. 1143. " 2

Early Origins of the Barbar family

The surname Barbar was first found in Warwickshire, where early Alan and John le Barbur were listed in Assize Rolls of 1248. 3 Kirby's Quest lists "Henry le Barbur, Somerset, 1 Edward III." 4 (recorded in Somerset during the first year of King Edward III's reign.)

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Alexander le Barbur in London; Henry le Barber in Oxfordshire; Richard Barbitonsor in Oxfordshire; John le Barber in Cambridgeshire; and Geoffrey le Barbir in Huntingdonshire. 1

Early History of the Barbar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barbar research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1281, 1539, 1560, 1563, 1564, 1565, 1567, 1576, 1587, 1602, 1615, 1653, 1658, 1674, 1890 and 1934 are included under the topic Early Barbar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barbar Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Barbour, Barber, Barberton and others.

Early Notables of the Barbar family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Thomas Barbar (fl. 1587), was an English divine, admitted scholar of St. John's College, Cambridge, 8 Nov. 1560, proceeded B.A. 1563-1564, M.A. in 1567, and B.D. 1576, and was elected fellow 11 April...

Ireland Migration of the Barbar family to Ireland

Some of the Barbar family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Barbar migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Barbar or a variant listed above:

Barbar Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Fra Barbar, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 5
  • Randall Barbar, who arrived in Maryland in 1663 5
  • John Barbar, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 5
  • Robert Barbar, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1699 5
Barbar Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • James Barbar, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1705 5
  • Anne Barbar, who landed in Virginia in 1714 5
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
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