Show ContentsBarberray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Barberray originated with the Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled Britain. It is derived from a baptismal name meaning son of Barbara. 1 In some instances, the name may have also been a nickname for someone, such as a Moor or Berber, who appeared to be of North African heritage. In such a case the name is a reference to the Barbary Coast of North Africa.

Another source notes that the name may be Norman in origin as he notes that "Barberi, famous of Old Forits Abbey (1170), is a parish near Falaise, in Normandy." 2

Early Origins of the Barberray family

The surname Barberray was first found in London, where the BarBerry spelling was the most popular. Late marriage records show: William Grosse and Barbery Marbeck were married at St. Antholin (London) in 1581. (Note the use as a forename) Helline, daughter of Henrie Barbery, was buried at St. James, Clerkenwell in 1609. Barbery, daughter of Jeremiah and Barbery Bird married at St. Mary Aldermary in 1696 and Francis Lee and Catherine Barberry were married at St. James, Clerkenwell in 1715. 1

Early History of the Barberray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barberray research. Another 203 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1500, 1609, 1674, 1692 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Barberray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barberray Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Barberray has appeared include Barberry, Barbary, Barbery, Barberrie, Baberie, Berberry and many more.

Early Notables of the Barberray family

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

Migration of the Barberray family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Barberray arrived in North America very early: Thomas Barbery of Maryland who arrived in 1666.



  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. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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