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Show ContentsBarclay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The origins of the Barclay name come from when the Anglo-Saxon tribes ruled over Britain. The name Barclay was originally derived from a family having lived in the parish of Berkeley in the county of Gloucestershire.

"This place, according to Sir Robert Atkyns, the historian of Gloucestershire, derives its name from the Saxon Beorc, a birch-tree, and Leas, a pasture; whence it has been inferred that the parish was formerly remarkable for the growth of birch-trees. It was always a place of considerable importance; and at a very early period it gave name to the great manor of Berkeley, which during the heptarchy was held of the crown, at £500. 17. 2. per annum, by Roger de Berkeley, a near relative of Edward the Confessor, and lord of Dursley, from whom the earliest authentic pedigree of the Berkeley family is deduced. Berkeley, notwithstanding the residence of the oldest branches of the family in their castle at Dursley. William the Conqueror, professing high regard for all the relatives of Edward the Confessor, granted the manor of Berkeley to Roger Berkeley, of Dursley, by whose descendants it was held till the reign of Henry II." 1

Early Origins of the Barclay family

The surname Barclay was first found in Gloucestershire, where "this noble race descend from Thos, de Berkely, Lord of Berkeley castle, co. Gloucester, temp. Edward I., and fifth in lineal succession from Harding, a Dane of royal blood, and one of the companions of William the Conqueror. " 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included Egidius de Berkeleye, Oxfordshire; Seman de Berclawe, Cambridgeshire; and Maurice de Berkelay, Somerset. 3

Henry de Barcley and Helewys' de Berkele were listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. 4

Early History of the Barclay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barclay research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1306, 1400, 1475, 1509, 1552, 1598, 1648, 1690, 1890 and 1924 are included under the topic Early Barclay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barclay Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Barclay include Barclay, Berkeley, Barcley, Berkely, Berkley and others.

Early Notables of the Barclay family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Alexander Barclay, (1475-1552), Scottish clergyman and poet, best known his translation and additions to "The Ship of Fools" (1509)

Barclay World Ranking

In the United States, the name Barclay is the 2,705th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Barclay is ranked the 698th most popular surname with an estimated 5,629 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Barclay is the 413rd popular surname with an estimated 1,594 people with that name. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Barclay as 748th with 8,915 people. 8

Ireland Migration of the Barclay family to Ireland

Some of the Barclay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Barclay migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Barclay Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Barclay, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1707 9
  • Nicholas Barclay, who landed in Virginia in 1715 9
  • James Barclay, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1729 9
  • William Barclay, who arrived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1732 9
  • Henry Barclay, who arrived in Virginia in 1737 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Barclay Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Barclay, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1802 9
  • David Barclay, who arrived in America in 1805 9
  • John Barclay, aged 29, who arrived in New York in 1812 9
  • Richard Barclay, who landed in New York, NY in 1817 9
  • Thomas Barclay who landed in New York state in 1822
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Barclay migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Barclay Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. John Barclay U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 10
  • Mr. Thomas Barclay U.E. born in New York, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 he was the son of Henry Barclay DD 10
Barclay Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Barclay, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1813

Australia Barclay migration to Australia +

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

Barclay Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Barclay, Scottish convict who was convicted in Ayr, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 14th October 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Mr. George Barclay, (b. 1818), aged 16, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1898 12
  • John James Barclay, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" in 1837 13
  • Rebecca Barclay, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" in 1837 13
  • William Barclay, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Moffatt" in 1839 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Barclay 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:

Barclay Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Barclay, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th December 1850 15
  • Mrs. Barbara Barclay, British settler travelling from Portsmouth aboard the ship "Duke of Portland" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 13th October 1851 16
  • Mr. Thomas Barclay, British settler travelling from Portsmouth aboard the ship "Duke of Portland" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 13th October 1851 16
  • Mr. James Barclay, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Martaban" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th October 1856 16
  • Miss Catherine Barclay, (b. 1859), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mary Anne" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th August 1859 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Barclay (post 1700) +

  • H. Douglas Barclay (1932-2021), American politician and diplomat, a long-time New York State Senator, and a United States Ambassador to El Salvador
  • Jacinda Barclay (1991-2020), Australian sportswoman who played baseball, American football and Australian football at high levels
  • Paris K.C. Barclay (b. 1956), two-time Emmy winning American television director and producer
  • Joan Barclay (1914-2002), American film actress of the 1930s and 1940s
  • William Barclay (1797-1859), English miniature painter, born in London in 1797
  • Robert Barclay (1843-1913), English banker
  • Byrna Robin Barclay SOM (1940-2023), née Burton, a Canadian writer and editor from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, President of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild
  • Sir David Rowat Barclay (1934-2021), British billionaires who with his identical twin Frederick were commonly referred to as the "Barclay Brothers" or "Barclay Twins"
  • Ms. Gillian Barclay M.B.E., British Head for Dementia Innovation Team for the Scottish Government, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Dementia Care and to Public Safety 17
  • John Barclay (1741-1823), Scottish Naval officer, one of the oldest and most distinguished officers who ever served in the marines 18
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Victor Nathaniel Barclay (1918-1941), Australian Supply Assistant from Ivanhoe, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 19
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Alexander C Barclay (b. 1920), English Leading Cook (S) serving for the Royal Navy from Alton, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 20
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. John Clark N Barclay, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 21
Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)
  • Stuart Murray Barclay (1959-1988), Canadian Businessman from Farm Barnard, Vermont, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 22
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. George Barclay, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 23

The Barclay 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: In cruce spero
Motto Translation: I trust in the cross.
  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. 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)
  10. 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
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  13. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) KATHERINE STEWART FORBES 1837 arrived Holdfast Bay, near Adelaide, on October 17, 1837. . Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837KatherineStewartForbes.htm
  14. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MOFFATT 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Moffatt.htm
  15. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
  18. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 6 June 2019
  19. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  20. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  21. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  22. Pan Am Flight 103's victims: A list of those killed 25 years ago | syracuse.com. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/pan_am_flight_103s_victims_a_list_of_those_killed_25_years_ago.html
  23. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
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