Surname Bar - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Unveiling the Celtic and European Roots of the Surname 'Bar' Through a DNA Journey
Taking an iGENEA DNA test has been instrumental in unravelling the historical and cultural roots of my surname 'Bar'. My DNA test provided the much-needed clarity, revealing the Celtic origins of the surname, its links to European nobility, indigenous tribal connections, and deep cultural legacies. This fascinating journey into my ancestry allowed me to understand and appreciate the historical and cultural richness that defines the identity connected to my name.
Z. Bar
read moreBar: What does the surname Bar mean?
The surname Bar has varied origins and meanings depending on the geographical and cultural contexts. In some regions, it's derived from the Old English term "bare" which means "boar" and was likely a nickname for a person with boar-like characteristics or a hunter. Bar can also be of Hebrew origin, meaning "son" in Aramaic. It’s often used in religious contexts, like Bartholomew which means "son of Talmai" in Hebrew. In Slavic languages, ‘Bar’ could mean "pine tree" or "swamp". As a German and Dutch surname, ‘Bar’ is an occupational name for a gatekeeper or a toll collector, from the Middle High German term "bar" meaning "gate" or "tollgate". Also in France, the surname might be locational, derived from several places named Bar. It's worth noting that in some Middle Eastern cultures like Arabic or Farsi, ‘Bar' could mean the "outer" or "external". Consequently, the surname Bar may carry different implications globally.
Order DNA origin analysisBar: Where does the name Bar come from?
The surname Bar originates from multiple cultures. In French, German, and Jewish (Ashkenazic), Bar is a metonymic occupational name for a gatekeeper or a toll collector, derived from the word 'bar(e)', meaning a gate or barrier. In the Celtic culture, the surname Bar could have originated as a descriptive nickname, derived from the Gaelic word ‘barr’, meaning 'top' or 'tip'. Despite joint origins, the prevalence of the surname varies.
Nowadays, it is particularly common in Israel due to a popular personal name 'Bar', often used in combinations like 'Bar-El' or 'Bar-Yosef'. The user of the surname is also high in Germany and France due to historical roots. However, in the USA and other English-speaking countries, it is less common. The distribution might also be influenced by Jewish diaspora communities worldwide, which could have dispersed this surname to various locations. Still, it's essential to remember that individuals with the 'Bar' surname may not necessarily have ancestral connections to these specific cultures, as surnames' adoption can often be influenced by various factors.
Variations of the surname Bar
The surname Bar can be traced back to various origins, and each origin corresponds to its unique variants and spellings.
In German, French, and Jewish (Ashkenazic) heritage, it is derived from 'Bar', meaning an obstruction or gate in Germanic languages. Variants of Bar in these origins are Barr, Bahre, Bare, Baer, and Behr.
In Dutch or Flemish, it possibly derived from the word 'baer', a measure of grain, and variants include Baar and Baare.
In English origin, it is a topographic name from the Middle English 'barre', where Barra and Barre are common variants.
For Jewish (Ashkenazic) lineage, Bar is often used as a prefix in combination with other names, like in Baruch or Barack.
For Scandinavian origin, the surname can be Baar or Baer.
In Polish origin, the surname can occur as Bar, Barra, or Bahr.
In French, it derives from Barre, meaning barrier, while in Italian, Barra is a common surname.
In a few cases, it might also be a shorter form of any of the various surnames that start with Bar-.
Please note, due to migration and naming convention changes over centuries, the surname might have more versions than listed above.
Famous people with the name Bar
- Nir Bar Dea: A well-known Israeli business executive, known for his role as vice president at Bridge Growth Partners.
- Shira Bar: An Israeli actress who gained fame from Israeli series like "Split" and "Arab Labor".
- Russel Bar: An English football manager who gained prominence for managing various top-flight clubs.
- Bar Paly: An Israeli-American model and actress, recognized for her roles in Hollywood blockbusters such as "Pain & Gain" and TV series like "NCIS: Los Angeles".
- Dov Elba-Bar: A popular Israeli journalist, recognized as the Chief Editor at the Tel Aviv Times.
- Bar Katz: An American screenwriter and playwright, known for "The Laramie Project".
- Danniel Thomas-Dodd: A professional shot putter from Jamaica, her maiden name is Bar, and she’s also known for her performance in the Olympics.
- Meir Bar-On: An Israeli-Dutch lexicographer, and author renowned for his studies in the field of Linguistics. However, do note that many people with the "Bar" prefix in their names are of Israeli or Hebrew origin, where "Bar" denotes "son of" in Aramaic. Hence a number of famous personalities may include a 'Bar' in their names, but it is not a surname. Examples include, Bar Refaeli (Israeli supermodel) and Baruch 'Barry' Mann (American songwriter).