Show ContentsBarperry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Barperry is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname that came 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 Barperry family

The surname Barperry 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 Barperry family

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

Barperry 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. Barperry has been recorded under many different variations, including Barberry, Barbary, Barbery, Barberrie, Baberie, Berberry and many more.

Early Notables of the Barperry family

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

Migration of the Barperry family

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 Barperry or a variant listed above: 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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