BARK
Bark
Bark is a British surname of occupational origins, derived from the Middle English word "barkere", meaning a tanner or leatherworker. The surname Bark was a name given to individuals who worked in the processing of leather by tanning the bark of trees.
Origin
The origin of the Bark surname can be traced back to medieval England, where the craft of tanning and leatherworking was a vital part of the economy. Individuals involved in this trade would have been instrumental in turning animal hides into usable leather by soaking them in a solution that contained the bark of trees.
Distribution
The surname Bark is found predominantly in the United Kingdom, with concentrations in regions such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Sussex. Over time, individuals with the surname Bark may have migrated to other English-speaking countries, leading to the dispersal of the name.
Notable Bearers
- Charles Bark (1810–1885) - A prominent tanner and businessman from Yorkshire who revolutionised the leather processing industry in the 19th century.
- Eleanor Bark (1902–1978) - Renowned for her work in creating innovative leather goods and accessories, contributing significantly to the fashion industry.
Variants
Variants of the surname Bark include Barker, Barke, and Berke, reflecting historical variations in spelling and pronunciation.
The surname Bark serves as a reminder of an ancient trade and the skilled workers who were involved in the intricate process of turning raw materials into valuable leather products. Today, individuals bearing the surname Bark continue to honour their heritage and the legacy of their ancestors in the field of leatherworking.
There are approximately 922 people named Bark in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,845th most common surname in Britain. Around 14 in a million people in Britain are named Bark.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Colin
- David
- Gary
- James
- John
- Michael
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Hazel
- Joanne
- Karen
- Lisa
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- Pearl
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Barck
- Barc
- Barco
- Barca
- Bar
- Baark
- Barek
- Barcks
- Barcz
- Brak
- Bakr
- Bara
- Barka
- Barke
- Barki
- Barko
- Barg
- Barkai
- Barkas
- Barkay
- Barkes
- Barkey
- Barkho
- Barkie
- Barkis
- Barkow
- Barks
- Barkus
- Bauck
- Bauks
- Baulk
- Bawks
- Berck
- Berk
- Berka
- Berke
- Berki
- Berko
- Berks
- Birck
- Birk
- Birke
- Birks
- Boarke
- Borck
- Borek
- Bork
- Borke
- Borko
- Borks
- Bourk
- Bourke
- Burck
- Burk
- Burka
- Burke
- Burki
- Burko
- Burks
- Barcoe
- Barcy
- Bargh
- Barkess
- Barku
- Barkway
- Barok
- Bars
- Barz
- Baucke
- Baulks
- Berkes
- Berky
- Bierc
- Birkes
- Birky
- Burkes
- Burkie
- Burky
- Barrack
- Barrick
- Berkey
- Borg
- Brack
- Bragg
- Brigg
- Brook
- Brooke
- Burkey
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.