Barkway

Origin and Meaning: Barkway is an English surname of locational origin. It is derived from the village of Barkway, located in Hertfordshire, England. The village name itself comes from the Old English words 'beorce' meaning birch tree, and 'weg' meaning road, indicating a road lined with birch trees.

History: The surname Barkway is believed to have originated in Hertfordshire, England, dating back to medieval times. During this period, surnames were often taken from a person's occupation, location, or a distinguishing physical attribute. Individuals who hailed from or had some connection to the village of Barkway would have likely adopted this surname.

Notable Bearers: As a locational surname, variations of Barkway have been carried by various individuals over the centuries. While specific notable bearers may not be widely documented, the surname likely has a lineage in the region of Hertfordshire and may have connections to local history, land ownership, or other aspects of community life.

Distribution: The surname Barkway is relatively rare and may be more prevalent in areas historically connected to Hertfordshire, where the village of Barkway is located. Like many regional surnames, its distribution may be more concentrated in certain areas of England and among families with roots in or around Hertfordshire.

Modern Day: Today, the surname Barkway likely has a small number of bearers who may be descendants of families from the Hertfordshire region, or individuals with an interest in genealogy exploring their historical connections. As with many locational surnames, the name Barkway provides a link to a specific place and can be a source of pride or curiosity for those who bear it.

References:

  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1991). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 280 people named Barkway in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Barkway.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andy
  • Christopher
  • Darren
  • David
  • John
  • Malcolm
  • Matthew
  • Michael
  • Nigel
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • William

Female

  • Emily
  • Julia
  • Kathleen
  • Kathryn
  • Margaret
  • Rebecca
  • Samantha
  • Sarah
  • Shelley
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.