Show ContentsBarry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name is originally of Norman origin, deriving from the old French word "barri," meaning "rampart;" though, it is also thought that a small number of bearers of this name come from the Gaelic names "ó Beargha," or "ó Báire."

Early Origins of the Barry family

The surname Barry was first found in Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster. "The Barrys were amongst the earliest Anglo-Norman settlers in Ireland, and have held large possessions in the county of Cork ever since the reign of Henry II. They had immense possessions, and their chief seat, Castle Lyons, vied in splendor with the most celebrated mansions in the South of Ireland. Their early residences at Barryscourt and Buttevant were also extensive and strong. " 1

Phillip de Barry (fl. 1183), was a warrior, the son of William de Barry, by Angharat, uterine sister of Robert Fitz-Stephen. "Having received from his uncle a grant of three cantreds in his own half of 'the kingdom of Cork,' viz. Olethan (north of Cork), afterwards 'Barrymore,' Muskerry Donegan (round Baltimore), and Killede, he came to Ireland at the end of February 1183, accompanied by his brother Gerald and their followers, to take possession and to assist his uncle Fitz-Stephen. " 2

"The Barrys of Ballyclough, spring from a second son of Barry of Lisnegar, and their present chief, James Barry, Esq., of Ballyclough, is the direct lineal representative of the Anglo- Norman Barry, who, with others, invaded Ireland in 1171. His property of Ballyclough, he inherits from his maternal ancestors, the Purdons." 1

Early History of the Barry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barry research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1179, 1490, 1535, 1550, 1591, 1603, 1605, 1617, 1627, 1641, 1642, 1659, 1672, 1692, 1703, 1713, 1715, 1717 and 1901 are included under the topic Early Barry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barry Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Barry, Barrie, Barre, de Barri, Barrey, Barree and many more.

Early Notables of the Barry family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

  • David Fitz-James de Barry, 18th Baron Barry, 5th Viscount Buttevant (c. 1550-1617), an Irish peer
  • Gerald Barry, an author, fought in that same war, and was exiled to Spain
  • James Barry, 1st Baron Barry of Santry PC (Ire) (1603-1672), an Irish lawyer

Barry World Ranking

In the United States, the name Barry is the 771st most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Barry is ranked the 699th most popular surname with an estimated 7,553 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Barry is the 179th popular surname with an estimated 223 people with that name. 5 France ranks Barry as 2,221st with 2,877 people. 6 Australia ranks Barry as 260th with 13,298 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Barry as 461st with 1,498 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Barry as 556th with 11,688 people. 9


Barry migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Barry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Sgt. William Barry, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 10
  • David Barry, who landed in Virginia in 1622 11
  • Garratt Barry, who settled in Virginia in 1651
  • Garratt Barry, who landed in Virginia in 1651 11
  • Garrett Barry, who arrived in Maryland in 1651 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Barry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Edward Barry, who landed in Virginia in 1700 11
  • John Barry, who landed in Virginia in 1714 11
  • William Barry, who settled in South Carolina in 1716
  • Jean Barry, aged 33, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 11
  • Charles Barry, who arrived in Virginia in 1720 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Barry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Francis Barry, who arrived in America in 1802 11
  • Ann Barry, who arrived in America in 1806 11
  • Elnr Barry, who landed in America in 1806 11
  • Lawrence Barry, aged 33, who landed in New York in 1812 11
  • Betsey Barry, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1813 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Barry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Barry, (b. 1863), aged 40, Cornish housekeeper, from Truro, Cornwall travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th July 1903 en route to Hamilton, Montana, USA 12

Barry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Barry Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Mr. François Barry, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 4th April 1644 13
Barry Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Barry, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • John Barry, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1752
  • Mr. Lewis Barry U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 14
  • Mr. Samuel Barry U.E. who arrived in Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 387 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York 14
  • Mr. Thomas Barry U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 14
Barry Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • David Barry, from Waterglass Hill, County Cork, was married in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1803 15
  • Fanny and John Barry both of whom arrived in Canada in 1823
  • Edmond Barry, aged 41, who landed in Canada in 1823
  • Fanny Barry, aged 19, who landed in Canada in 1823
  • John Barry, aged 32, who arrived in Canada in 1823
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barry migration to Australia +

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

Barry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Barry, (b. 1812), aged 10, Irish errand boy who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 3rd September 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • James Barry, a bricklayer, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Alexander Barry, a cabinet-maker, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Mr. William Barry, (b. 1802), aged 24, Irish tailor who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for life for murder, transported aboard the "Boyne" on 28th October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1833 when he was hit by a tree 17
  • Mrs. Ellen Barry, (b. 1777), aged 49, Irish country servant who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 3rd October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barry 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:

Barry Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Barry, aged 29, a gardener, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
  • Richard Barry, aged 24, a farmer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
  • William Barry, aged 31, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
  • Margaret Barry, aged 29, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
  • Edward Barry, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barry migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19
Barry Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Clement Barry, English settler from Exeter, Devon, England, (b. 1612), aged 22, British settler travelling from Plymouth, England aboard the ship "Margarett" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) on 1st March 1634 20
  • Alce Barry, who arrived in Barbados in 1679 11
  • Alice Barry, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with servants

Contemporary Notables of the name Barry (post 1700) +

  • Patrick Barry (1816-1890), American horticulturist, who arrived in America at age 24, and was an important influence in the beginnings of fruit growing in America
  • Cheri Merritt Barry (1955-2023), American Republican politician, first female Mayor of Meridian, Mississippi (2009-2013) 21
  • Maryanne Trump Barry (1937-2023), American attorney and United States federal judge
  • Julian Barry (1930-2023), American screenwriter and playwright, best known for his Oscar-nominated script for the 1974 film Lenny about comedian Lenny Bruce
  • Odell Carl Barry (1941-2022), American professional football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos in the American Football League (1964-1965), Mayor of Northglenn, Colorado, 1980-82; Member of Democratic National Committee from Colorado, 1989-93
  • Richard Donovan "Rich" Barry (1940-2021), American Major League Baseball player who appeared in 20 games in for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1969, primarily as an outfielder
  • Len Barry (1942-2020), born Leonard Borisoff, an American vocalist, songwriter, and record producer
  • Roger Graham Barry (1935-2018), English-born, American geographer and climatologist who was awarded a Founders Medal from the Royal Geographical Society in 2007
  • Dave Barry (b. 1947), American author and columnist, who wrote a nationally syndicated humor column for The Miami Herald from 1983 to 2005 and who won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary
  • Patricia Barry (1922-2016), née White, an American actress
  • ... (Another 119 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Fred Barry, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Edward Barry, American 2nd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 23
  • Mr. W. Barry, Irish Fireman from Dublin, Ireland, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 23
RMS Titanic
  • Miss Julia Barry (d. 1912), aged 26, American Third Class passenger from New York City, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 24
SS Atlantic
  • Mr. Chris Barry, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Eliza Barry, Irish traveler aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Isabella Barry, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
St. Francis Dam
  • Mr. John "Scotty" Barry, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
USS Indianapolis
  • Charles Schwab Barry (1922-1945), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 25


Suggested Readings for the name Barry +

  • Descendants of John Ambrose Rowe (including the Barry Family), Weld County Pioneer, 1828-1886 by Arliss S. Monk.

  1. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  6. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. 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)
  12. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  13. Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
  14. 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
  15. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyne
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers
  19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  20. Cornish in the Caribbean (retrieved on 23rd September 2021). Retrieved from https://books.google.ca/books?id=gnSFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA265&lpg=PA265&dq=wallen+lizard+cornwall&source=bl&ots=ARTnm6uRLv&sig=ACfU3U3ewicUaBkTuwC_Gpr0ic-
  21. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, July 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  22. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  23. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  24. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  25. Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew


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