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Show ContentsBarr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Etymology of Barr

What does the name Barr mean?

It was in the Scottish/English Borderlands that the Strathclyde-Briton people first used the ancient name Barr. It was a name for someone who lived in Ayrshire, where the family was found since the early Middle Ages. It is generally thought to have been a habitational name, taken on from any of various place names in southwestern Scotland, in particular in Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. These place names derive from the Gaelic word barr, meaning "height," or "hill." 1

Further to the south in England, one of the early noteworthy people in the family was Richard Barre " (fl. 1170-1202), ecclesiastic and judge, [who] acted as the envoy of Henry II to the papal court, both shortly before and immediately after the murder of Thomas Becket. On the first occasion he was the bearer of a haughty and even minatory message from the king demanding that the pope should absolve all those who had been excommunicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Barre was entrusted with the custody of the great seal on the coronation of the heir apparent in 1170, but on the revolt of the prince in 1173 he offered to surrender it to the king. Barre probably succeeded Richard de Ely, otherwise FitzNeale, as archdeacon of Ely in 1184." 2

Early Origins of the Barr family

The surname Barr was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire. "The surname is most frequently found at the present day in the district around Glasgow, and is a common surname in the Kilbarchan Commissariot Record. Atkyn de Barr was bailie of Ayr c. 1340. John Bar or de Barre was burgess of Edinburgh in 1423." 1

However, some of the family were first found further south at Tollerton in Nottinghamshire, England. "This place, which takes its name from Torlaston, one of its possessors before the Conquest, in the reign of Stephen became the manor of Radulphus Barre, with whose descendants it still remains." 3

"His wife must have been a De Lisle, for his son Richard, in one of his deeds, speaks of Ranulf de Insula, his grandfather, and Matilda Malebisse, his grandmother. Fifth in descent from Richard was Thomas, Dominus de Teversall (or Tearsall), who first called himself Barry, as the family continued to do till it ended with John Barry in the reign of Henry VI. A branch seated at Torlaston lasted about one hundred years longer. These Barres or Barrys were benefactors to the monks of Beauchief." 4

Richard de Barra was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding lands in Somerset at that time. 5

In Northamptonshire, William Barre, or Barry, of Great Billing, held one fee of Courcy in 1165. 6 Anger de la Barra was listed at Clerkenwell, London c. 1216-1217. Later John ate Barre was recorded in Sussex in 1283. Edricius de la Bartre was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Staffordshire in 1170 and William de Barre in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1199. 7

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Gunilda de la Barre in Hertfordshire and Philip de le Barre in Huntingdonshire. 8

Early History of the Barr family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barr research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1170, 1173, 1202, 1551, 1554, 1565, 1590, 1600, 1612, 1686 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Barr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barr Spelling Variations

Scribes in Medieval Scotland spelled names by sound rather than any set of rules, so an enormous number of spelling variations exist in names of that era. Barr has been spelled Barr, Barre and others.

Early Notables of the Barr family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • Richard Barre (fl. 1170-1202), an English ecclesiastic and judge who acted as the envoy of Henry II to the papal court, both shortly before and immediately after the murder of Thomas Becket. On the fi...
  • but on the arrival of others of his party two, ‘qui minus habebantur suspecti,’ were admitted, and in the end the embassy was successful in averting the impending excommunication. Barre was entrusted...

Barr World Ranking

In the United States, the name Barr is the 698th most popular surname with an estimated 42,279 people with that name. 9 However, in Canada, the name Barr is ranked the 815th most popular surname with an estimated 6,592 people with that name. 10 And in Australia, the name Barr is the 504th popular surname with an estimated 7,541 people with that name. 11 New Zealand ranks Barr as 440th with 1,538 people. 12 The United Kingdom ranks Barr as 517th with 12,679 people. 13

Migration of the Barr family to Ireland

Some of the Barr family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barr migration to the United States +

The number of Strathclyde Clan families sailing for North America increased steadily as the persecution continued. In the colonies, they could find not only freedom from the iron hand of the English government, but land to settle on. The American War of Independence allowed many of these settlers to prove their independence, while some chose to go to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots played essential roles in the forging of both great nations. Among them:

Barr Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Roger Barr, who landed in Virginia in 1655 14
  • John Barr, who landed in Marblehead, Massachusetts in 1684 14
Barr Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Robert Barr, who settled in New England in 1718
  • Gabriel Barr, who settled in New Hampshire in 1720
  • Gabriel Barr, who arrived in New England in 1720 14
  • Samuel Barr, who landed in New England in 1720 14
  • John George Barr, who arrived in South Carolina in 1735 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Barr Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Barr, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1802 14
  • Jane Barr, who landed in America in 1805 14
  • Enos Barr, aged 36, who landed in Maine in 1812 14
  • Agnes Barr, who landed in Massachusetts in 1812 14
  • Eleanor Barr, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barr migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Barr Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Sarah Barr, aged 21, who arrived in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1774
  • William Barr, who was a fisherman in Port de Grave, Newfoundland in 1775 15
Barr Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Peter Barr, aged 25, who landed in Canada in 1811
  • David Barr, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
  • Peter Barr, who arrived in Canada in 1820
  • Ira C Barr, who arrived in Canada in 1833
  • James Barr, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barr migration to Australia +

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

Barr Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Alexander Barr, (b. 1796), aged 39, Scottish ploughman who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years for house breaking, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 18th June 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1872 16
  • Mr. Moses Barr, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
  • William Barr, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Delhi" in 1839 18
  • Mr. William Barr, (b. 1818), aged 21, Irish black smith who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 19th May 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 19
  • Mr. Daniel Barr, (David), (b. 1811), aged 29, Irish ploughman who was convicted in Londonderry, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "British Sovereign" on 16th December 1840, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Barr 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:

Barr Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Barr, who landed in Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • John Barr, aged 39, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • Jean Barr, aged 37, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • John Barr, aged 19, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • Arabella Barr, aged 16, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Barr (post 1700) +

  • William Pelham Barr (b. 1950), American attorney who served as United States attorney general in the administration of President George H. W. Bush from 1991 to 1993 and again in the administration of President Donald Trump from 2019 to 2020
  • Roseanne Cherie Barr (b. 1952), award-winning American actress, comedienne, writer, television producer and director
  • George Edward Barr (1937-2025), American science fiction and fantasy artist, born in Tucson, Arizona
  • Doris "Dodie" Barr (1921-2009), Canadian pitcher who played from 1943-1952 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
  • Mary Barr (1925-2010), American first female aviator to join the US Forest Service, recipient of the Lassen Experimental Aviation Association (LEAA) for her years of service in helping pilots and using the Susanville airport to relay weather information to the public
  • Harvey Scott Barr Jr. (1916-2015), American politician, Member of the Washington House of Representatives (1977-1983)
  • Major-General David Goodwin Barr (1895-1970), American Commanding General Armored Center Fort Knox (1951-1952) 21
  • Cynthia Elizabeth Barr (b. 1971), American silver medalist swimmer at the 1988 Summer Olympics
  • Robert L Barr Jr. (b. 1948), American politician, member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia (1995-2003)
  • Amelia Edith Barr (1831-1919), English-born, American author
  • ... (Another 94 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Lady of the Lake
  • Mr. Mitchel Barr (b. 1816), Irish labourer from Moville, Ireland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. James Barr, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 22
  • Mrs. Catherine Symington Barr, (née Young), Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 22
SS Caribou
  • Mr. G. E. Barr, British passenger who was Royal Army was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he survived the sinking

Suggested Readings for the name Barr +

  • The Family of Adam and Mary Claycomb/Barr by Stephan A. Barr.
  • The Family of Matthew Alexander Barr and Wife Nancy Turrentine Barr by Alma Fulton Kellum.
  • John Kendig Barr: His Ancestors and His Descendants by Mary Alice Burchfield.
  1. 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)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
  5. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  6. Liber Niger Scutarii ("Black Book of the Exchequer"), containing reports by county on feudal holdings in England in 1166 (reign of Henry II)
  7. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  8. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  9. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  10. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  12. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  13. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  14. 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)
  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 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
  18. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) DELHI 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Delhi.htm
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/british-sovereign
  21. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 6) David Barr. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Barr/David_Goodwin/USA.html
  22. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/

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