Barbar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Scotland
Ireland

The chronicles of Scottish history reveal that the first people to use the name Barbar were the Strathclyde-Britons. The Barbar surname is derived from the Anglo-Norman French word "barbier," in turn from the Late Latin "barbarius," or "barba, " meaning "beard." As such, the medieval barber who not only cut hair and gave shaves, but also practiced surgery and pulled teeth. 1

Early Origins of the Barbar family

The surname Barbar was first found in Northumberland, and Cumberland. Some of the first records of the family were Gilbert le Barber or Barbour and Michael le Barber who were Scots prisoners taken at Dunbar Castle in 1296. 1

The year 1296 is important to note as this was the year that King Edward I of England invaded Scotland. Those on the borders were deeply affected and those who refused to pay homage to the king were often thrown in jail.

However not all of the family failed to pay homage, as Aleyn le Barbur of the county of Arne did render homage to the invading king. Later in 1305, John Barbitonsor rendered the accounts for the farm of Mountros and a few years later, William Barbitonsor had confirmation of a charter of lands in 1317.

The famed Robert Bruce granted to Ade Barbitonsor a toft in Moffat with two bovates of land adjoining (presumably the same year) and in 1328 there is entry of a payment to Andrew Barber. 1

John Barbour (1316?-1395), was the earliest Scottish poet on record and one of the best of the ancient Scottish poets, a contemporary of Chaucer. He was also Archdeacon of Aberdeen. "The date of his birth is conjectural, but his death, on 13 March 1395, is proved by an entry in the obit book of the cathedral, the cessation in that year of a pension conferred on him by Robert II, and other documentary evidence. In 1357 he appears as Archdeacon of Aberdeen in a safe-conduct by Edward III to him and three scholars going to study at Oxford." 2

Early History of the Barbar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barbar research. Another 180 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1316, 1329, 1336, 1383, 1391, 1395, 1410, 1451, 1463, 1603, 1690, 1714, 1738, 1757, 1761, 1763, 1811, 1890 and 1934 are included under the topic Early Barbar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barbar Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Barbar has been spelled Barbour, Barber, Barberton and others.

Early Notables of the Barbar family

Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barbar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barbar family to Ireland

Some of the Barbar family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 197 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barbar migration to the United States +

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Barbar Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Fra Barbar, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 3
Randall Barbar, who arrived in Maryland in 1663 3
John Barbar, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 3
Robert Barbar, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1699 3

Barbar Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Barbar, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1705 3
Anne Barbar, who landed in Virginia in 1714 3

The Barbar 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: Nihilo nisi cruce
Motto Translation: Nothing, but the cross.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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)