Show ContentsBaron History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The word Baron "is of Celtic extraction, and originally synonymous with man in general. It has this meaning in the Salic law, and in. The laws of the Lombards; in the English law, the phrase Baron and feme is equivalent to man and wife. It was afterward used to denote a man of respectability, a stout or valiant man. From denoting a stout or valiant man, it was employed as a name for a distinguished military leader, who having fought and conquered under some great commander, was afterward rewarded by him with a part of the lands which he had acquired." 1

Early Origins of the Baron family

The surname Baron was first found in Baron, near Caen, Normandy. "William de Baron, son of Aiulph de Foro, was an early benefactor to Ardennes Abbey Normandy." 2

The family landed in Devon shortly after the Conquest where Richard le Baron held one and a half fee there in 1165. 2

While this early record follows the first Norman landing in Britain, we found another earlier record in 1095 when Lefuine Baron held estates at Bury in Suffolk. 3

Later records at Sotterley in Suffolk listed the following: "The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at £10, and in the gift of Frederick Barne, Esq., whose ancestor, Sir George Barne, was lord mayor of London in the time of Edward VI." 4

Geoffrey le Barun was listed in the Assize Rolls of Hampshire in 1236 and a few years later John Barn was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Richard le Baron in Devon; and Geoffrey le Barun in Oxfordshire. 5

Early History of the Baron family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baron research. Another 419 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1428, 1477, 1488, 1500, 1505, 1508, 1520, 1534, 1539, 1555, 1647, 1685, 1705, 1715, 1718, 1722, 1726 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Baron History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baron Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Baron has been recorded under many different variations, including Baron, Barrone, Barron, Barne, Barone and others.

Early Notables of the Baron family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • William Barons or Barnes (d. 1505), Bishop of London and Master of the Rolls, "about whom singularly little is known, appears to have been educated at Oxford, where he took the degree of LL.D., but in...
  • Stephen Baron (d. 1520?), was a Franciscan friar of the Strict Observance, educated in the University of Cambridge, where he acquired fame as a preacher. He became confessor to King Henry VIII, and pr...
  • John Baron D.D. (died 1722), an English academic administrator, Master of Balliol College, Oxford (1705-1726), Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University (1715-1718.)

Baron World Ranking

In the United States, the name Baron is the 2,239th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 6 However, in Quebec, Canada, the name Baron is ranked the 747th most popular surname. 7 And in France, the name Baron is the 137th popular surname with an estimated 22,386 people with that name. 8

Ireland Migration of the Baron family to Ireland

Some of the Baron family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Baron migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Baron or a variant listed above:

  • Anna Baron, aged 31, who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Reliance" 9
  • Andre Baron, aged 15, who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Republic" 9
  • Alice Baron, aged 44, who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Republic" 9
Baron Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Samuel Baron, (Bacon), aged 12, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 10
  • John Baron, (Bacon), aged 8, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 10
  • Miss Susan Baron, (Bacon), aged 10, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 10
  • George Baron, (Bacon), aged 43, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 10
  • Andrew Baron, who arrived in America in 1663 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Baron Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Baron, who landed in Maryland in 1700 10
  • Robert Baron, who arrived in Maryland in 1714 10
  • John Philip Baron, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1747 10
  • Hans Philip Baron, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1747 10
  • Nich Baron, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1752 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Baron Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Baron, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1813 10
  • Guillermo Baron, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1816 10
  • Alex Baron who arrived in New Orleans in 1820
  • Charles Baron, aged 58, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1821 10
  • John Baron, aged 26, who arrived in New York aboard the ship "American" in 1825 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Baron migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Baron Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Jehan Baron, who landed in Montreal in 1653
  • Barbe Baron who arrived in Quebec in 1667

Australia Baron migration to Australia +

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

Baron Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Margaret Baron, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Diana" on 4th December 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • John Baron, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Stevenson" in 1850 12
  • Master Baron, who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Desdemona" in 1890 13
  • Miss Baron, who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Desdemona" in 1890 13
  • Miss Baron, who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Desdemona" in 1890 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Baron Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Baron, who arrived in Fremantle, Australiav aboard the ship "Dumbea" in 1907 14
  • Mr. Baron, who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Minderoo" in 1923 14
  • Mrs. Baron, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Minderoo" in 1923 14
  • Infant Baron, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Minderoo" in 1923 14

New Zealand Baron 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:

Baron Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr Baron, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Autilla
  • George Baron, aged 40, a dyer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
  • Helen Baron, aged 41, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
  • Margaret Baron, aged 12, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
  • Mr. Baron, British settler travelling from Cape of Good Hope, South Africa aboard the ship "Antilla" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 8th December 1841 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Baron 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
Baron Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Humerton Baron who settled in Jamaica in 1689
  • Humberton Baron, who landed in Jamaica in 1689 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Baron (post 1700) +

  • Naomi S. Baron (b. 1946), linguist and professor emerita of linguistics at the Department of World Languages and Cultures at American University in Washington, D.C
  • Ronald Stephen Baron (b. 1943), (also known as Ron Baron) is an American mutual fund manager and investor
  • Salo Wittmayer Baron (1895-1989), Austrian-born American historian, described as "the greatest Jewish historian of the 20th century"
  • Martin Baron (b. 1954), American journalist who was editor of The Washington Post from December 31, 2012 until his retirement on February 28, 2021
  • Mike Baron (b. 1949), is an American comic book writer. He is the creator of Badger and the co-creator of Nexus with Steve Rude
  • Bernard Joseph Baron (b. 1955), American avant-garde jazz drummer who plays frequently with Bill Frisell and John Zorn
  • Hermine Baron (1912-1996), American contract bridge player who was a Grand Life Master
  • Frederick Martin "Fred" Baron (1947-2008), American trial lawyer best known for representing plaintiffs claiming toxic and chemical exposure
  • Fred Baron, is an American film producer and studio who currently serves as executive vice president of feature production at 20th Century Fox
  • Murray Baron (1908-2002), American activist, president of Accuracy in Media
  • ... (Another 38 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hillsborough disaster
  • Gerard Bernard Patrick Baron Sr. (1921-1989), English retired postal worker who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and and he died from his injuries 17


Suggested Readings for the name Baron +

  • David and Deborah Barronett: Their Ancestors and Descendants (including the Baron Family) by Eva Laughlin LeBlanc.

  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. 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)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  8. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  9. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  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)
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Diana
  12. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) WILLIAM STEVENSON 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850WmStevenson.gif
  13. Public Record Office Victoria retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved fromhttps://prov.vic.gov.au
  14. National Archives of Australia retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx
  15. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  16. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  17. Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/


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