BARNABY
Barnaby
Barnaby is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Bjorn" meaning bear, and the Old English word "beorn," which also means bear.
The surname Barnaby is believed to have originated in the region of East Anglia in England during the medieval period. As with many surnames, it likely started as a patronymic surname, indicating that the early bearers were descendants of someone named Barnaby.
Over time, the surname Barnaby has been recorded with various spellings, including Barnabe, Barnabie, and Barnabey. The name has spread beyond its East Anglian origins and can be found throughout the United Kingdom and in other English-speaking countries.
Notable individuals with the surname Barnaby include British playwright and screenwriter David Barnaby and American fantasy author Stephanie Barnaby. The surname has also been fictionalised in popular culture, such as in Charles Dickens' novel "Barnaby Rudge," where the titular character contributes to the surname's enduring legacy.
In contemporary times, the surname Barnaby continues to be borne by individuals across the globe, representing a shared connection to English history and heritage.
There are approximately 1,063 people named Barnaby in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,040th most common surname in Britain. Around 16 in a million people in Britain are named Barnaby.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
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
- Mark
- Matthew
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Simon
- Stephen
Female
- Beverley
- Catherine
- Diane
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Ingrid
- Jean
- Julia
- Julie
- Karen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Sally
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.