Barge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Ireland

The Barge family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as a barge-man. Three of the earliest instances of the name were royal bargemen for King Edward III, who reigned from 1327 to 1377. One of these three people's name explicitly indicates the occupational nature of the name Petrus del Barge. A modern transliteration of his name would be Peter of the Barge. 1

Early Origins of the Barge family

The surname Barge was first found in county Worcestershire, where Robert de le Bergh was recorded in 1221. 2 Later in Yorkshire, we found Patricius Bargeman listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 1

Early History of the Barge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barge research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1359, 1379, 1579, 1666 and 1749 are included under the topic Early Barge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barge Spelling Variations

Barge has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Barge have been found, including Bargery, Bargerey, Barge, Bargeman, Bargman, Bargh, Berge and many more.

Early Notables of the Barge family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Peter del Barge, a mariner in 13592...

Barge Ranking

In the United States, the name Barge is the 8,675^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3 However, in France, the name Barge is ranked the 5,607^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 4

Barge migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Barges to arrive on North American shores:

Barge Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Giles Barge, who landed in Maine in 1669 5

Barge Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jacob Barge, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1760 5
George Barge, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1770 5
Fred Barge, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1786
Frans Barge, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1798 5

Barge migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Barge Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Samuel Barge, aged 26, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Avalanche" in 1875

Contemporary Notables of the name Barge (post 1700) +

John D. Barge (b. 2011), American politician, Georgia Superintendent of Schools
Gillian Barge (1940-2003), born Gillian Betty Bargh, an English stage, television and film actress, born in Hastings, Sussex

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)