Show ContentsBarrass History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Barrass

What does the name Barrass mean?

The surname Barrass is an occupational name; that is, it is derived from the occupation of the original bearer. In this case, it is derived from the Old French word bar, which means bass; sea bass are a staple fish found in the Mediterranean. Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

Early Origins of the Barrass family

The surname Barrass was first found in Provence, where the family has held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Barrass family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barrass research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1653, 1703, 1755 and 1829 are included under the topic Early Barrass History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barrass Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Barras, Baras, Barrasse, Baraz, Le Barras, Barace, Le Barace, Barèce and many more.

Early Notables of the Barrass family

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


Barrass migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Barrass Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Joshua Barrass, who settled in America in 1719
Barrass Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Alfred Barrass, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1872 1

Barrass migration to Australia +

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

Barrass Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Ann Barrass, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Bolivar" in 1850 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Barrass (post 1700) +

  • Tom Barrass (b. 1995), Australian rules footballer for the West Coast Eagles
  • Natalie Barrass, British presenter on the former BBC children's radio programme The Big Toe Radio Show
  • Matthew Robert "Matt" Barrass (b. 1980), English retired professional footballer, son of Malcolm Barrass
  • Malcolm Williamson Barrass (1924-2013), English professional footballer and manager; he played from 1944 to 1959 including for the England National Team (1951-1953) and managed Wigan Athletic (1958-1959)
  • Alexander Barrass (1856-1929), English poet and songwriter from Blackhall Mill, County Durham


The Barrass 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: Vaillance de Barras
Motto Translation: Valour of Barras.


  1. 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)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BOLIVAR 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Bolivar.gif


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