Barber

The surname Barber has English and Scottish origins, derived from the Old French word "barbier," meaning beard. The name was originally an occupational surname given to a barber, someone who cut hair and shaved beards. The occupation of the barber was an important one in medieval times, as barbers not only cut hair but also performed surgeries and dentistry.

The surname Barber is widespread in the United Kingdom and can be found in various spellings, including Barbour and Berber. The name has also been adopted by people of other nationalities, particularly in English-speaking countries.

Notable figures with the surname Barber include British motorcycle racer James Barber, Scottish footballer Colin Cameron Barber, and American composer Samuel Barber.

The Barber family crest features a simple design with symbols representing honesty, bravery, and loyalty. The motto associated with the Barber coat of arms is "Ne oublie," which translates to "Do not forget."

Overall, the surname Barber is steeped in history and denotes a person with a heritage tied to the practice of barbering and grooming.

There are approximately 31,872 people named Barber in the UK. That makes it the 247th most common surname in Britain. Around 489 in a million people in Britain are named Barber.

Surname type: Occupational name

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Julie
  • Karen
  • Linda
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

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