Contents [hide]

Barrow History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Barrow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Barrow is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived near a grove, or in any of a number of places called Barrow, The surname is derived from the Old English word, bearo, which means grove. As a local name, it could also be derived from a long hill or mound.

The name is derived from "Barrow, the name of parishes and places in at least ten counties in England; from barrow, a wood or grove, from Anglo-Saxon beara, bearewe, a grove; or from barrow, a hillock or mound of earth intended as a repository for the dead, answering to the tumulus of the Latins; from Anglo-Saxon beorg a hill or hillock, byrgen a tomb." 1

Early Origins of the Barrow family

The surname Barrow was first found in Lancashire, where they held a family seat from ancient times. "The Lancashire Barrows, who are named after a borough in the county, are best represented in the Ambleside district." 2

One source claims the family was Norman in origin from Barou, near Falaise in Normandy. "In 1165 Robert de Jouvigny held a fief at Barrou, Normandy, of the Honour of Grent-Mesnil." 3

While Lancashire is generally understood the family's stronghold, Lincolnshire may have been their ancient homestead. "Roger de Barewe of Lincoln was deceased before 1271. In 1194 William de Barewe had a suit in the same county. In 1130 Adelaid de Barou occurs in Lincoln, and in 1093 Walleran de Baro witnessed a charter of Chester Abbey." 3

The Close Rolls had two entries for the family with early spellings: Walter de la Barowe, Close Rolls, 14 Edward III and Robert de la Barwe, 3 Edward I.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1271 had two entries Richard de Barewe, Surrey; and William de la Barewe, Essex. 4

Kirby's Quest listed John atte Barwe, Somerset, 1 Edward III and John atte Berwe, Somerset, 1 Edward III. 5

The reader should know that early rolls were almost always listed in relationship to the year of the sovereign's reign. In other words, "1 Edward III," would denote "during the first year of King Edward III's reign."

Early History of the Barrow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barrow research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1192, 1242, 1483, 1497, 1534, 1550, 1593, 1599, 1613, 1630, 1677 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Barrow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barrow Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Barrow has been spelled many different ways, including Barrow, Barrough, Barrows and others.

Early Notables of the Barrow family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Thomas Barowe or Barrow (d. 1497?), English ecclesiastic and judge, Rector of Olney in Buckinghamshire, and was appointed to a prebend in St. Stephen's Chapel in the palace of Westminster in July 1483...
Henry Barrowe (c.1550-1593), was an English Puritan and Separatist; Isaac Barrow (1630-1677), was an English scholar and mathematician who is best known for his early role in the development of calcul...

Barrow Ranking

In the United States, the name Barrow is the 1,802^nd most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 6 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Barrow is ranked the 857^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,927 people with that name. 7

Barrow migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Barrows to arrive in North America:

Barrow Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Barrow, who settled in Virginia in 1623
John Barrow, who settled in Virginia in 1642
Henry Barrow, who arrived in Virginia in 1652 8
Michael Barrow, who landed in Virginia in 1653 8
Tho Barrow, who landed in Virginia in 1654 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barrow Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mary Barrow, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 8
Lewis Barrow, who landed in Virginia in 1714 8
George Barrow, who landed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1748 8
William Barrow, who landed in North Carolina in 1760 8
Rubin Barrow, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1787 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barrow Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. Barrow, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 8
Edward Barrow, who landed in America in 1830 8
Robert Barrow, who landed in New York in 1832 8
Thomas Barrow, who arrived in Maryland in 1844 8
Joseph Barrow, who arrived in Mississippi in 1859 8

Barrow migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Barrow Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Richard Barrow, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Petter Barrow was a laborer in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1779 9
Mr. Thomas Barrow U.E. who arrived in Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 197 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 10

Barrow Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Edward Barrow, who settled in Greenspond, Newfoundland in 1828 9
Edward Barrow was a fisherman in Freshwater Bay, Newfoundland in 1871 9
Edward Barrow, who settled in Gambo, Newfoundland in 1876 9

Barrow migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Barrow Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Peggy Barrow, (b. 1764), aged 50, English cotton spinner who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Broxbournebury" in January 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1825 11
Mr. Abram Barrow, Jr., English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
George Bar Barrow, Scottish convict from Edinburgh, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 29, 1828, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. George Barrow, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 2nd February 1831, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
Mr. Thomas Barrow, English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Lancastershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 10th August 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barrow 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:

Barrow Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James Barrow, aged 40, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
Ann Barrow, aged 40, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
Ann Barrow, aged 15, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
Charles Barrow, aged 11, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
Stephen Barrow, aged 6, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barrow migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16

Barrow Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Rebecca Barrow, who landed in Barbados in 1679 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Barrow (post 1700) +

Joseph Louis Barrow (1914-1981), better known as "Joe Louis", American boxer considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions that ever lived
Willie Mae Barrow (1924-2015), née Taplin, an American civil rights activist and minister
Robert Hilliard Barrow (1922-2008), American general, 27th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (1979 to 1983)
Edward Grant Barrow (1868-1953), American baseball manager and executive, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953
Clyde Chestnut Barrow (1909-1934), American gangster, half of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde outlaws
George Barrow, American politician, Member of North Carolina House of Commons from Hyde County, 1780-81 17
Edward P. Barrow, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 5th District, 1854 17
Doyle Barrow, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Missouri State Senate 34th District, 1947-50 17
D. G. Barrow, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Mississippi, 1972 17
D. C. Barrow, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Georgia, 1860 17
... (Another 30 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Barrow family +

HMS Dorsetshire

Albert Barrow, British Cook aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 18

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Stephen Barrow, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 19

HMS Repulse

Mr. J Barrow, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 20

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Donald George M. Barrow, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Maple Creek, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 21
Mrs. May Barrow, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Maple Creek, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 21

RMS Titanic

Mr. Harry Barrow (d. 1912), aged 35, English Butcher from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 22

The Barrow Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Parum sufficit
Motto Translation: A little is enough.

Citations +

Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/broxbournebury
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 24) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1828 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1828
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/augusta-jessie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html