Show ContentsBarbe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Barbe is tied to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of England. It comes from the baptismal name meaning the son of Barbara. The name is equally often of nickname derivation and was given to a man with a heavy beard.

Early Origins of the Barbe family

The surname Barbe was first found in Hampshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Barbe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barbe research. Another 206 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1229, 1500, 1602 and 1795 are included under the topic Early Barbe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barbe Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Barbe has undergone many spelling variations, including Barbe, Barb, Berb, Berbe, Barrbe, Berrbe and others.

Early Notables of the Barbe family

More information is included under the topic Early Barbe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barbe Ranking

In France, the name Barbe is the 261st most popular surname with an estimated 14,355 people with that name. [1]

Ireland Migration of the Barbe family to Ireland

Some of the Barbe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Barbe migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Barbe were among those contributors:

Barbe Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Adrian Barbe, who arrived in Virginia in 1621
Barbe Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anne Barbe, who arrived in America in 1709
  • Jeanne Barbe, who arrived in Louisiana in 1720
  • Mr. Barbe was established in Louisiana in 1727
  • Catherine Barbe, who arrived in Illinois sometime between 1727 and 1743
Barbe Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Antoine Barbe, who settled in Alabama in 1827
  • Henry Barbe, who settled in Baltimore in 1833

Canada Barbe migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Barbe Settlers in Canada in the 16th Century
  • Colas Barbe, who arrived in Canada in 1535
Barbe Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Elisabeth Barbe, who arrived in Quebec in 1696
Barbe Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Jacques Barbe, who settled in Canada in 1743
  • Rudolph Barbe, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1752

Contemporary Notables of the name Barbe (post 1700) +

  • David Barbe (b. 1963), American musician and producer/engineer
  • Walter Barbe, American author and educator
  • Jane Barbe (1928-2003), American voice actress, best known as the "Time Lady," for the recordings she made for major phone companies
  • Denis Barbe (b. 1978), Seychellois footballer
  • Andre Joseph Barbe (1923-2004), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey right winger
  • Manon Barbe, Canadian politician, city councillor from Montreal, Quebec
  • Ghislain Barbe, Canadian illustrator and artist


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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