Surname Barr - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Scottish Origins of the Barr Name: My iGENEA DNA Test Experience

I embarked on an intriguing journey with iGENEA DNA test to uncover my Barr heritage revealing remarkable Scottish roots. It fostered connections with distant relatives globally, enriching my understanding of my lineage. I share my experiences with this enlightening tool.

J. Barr

Barr: What does the surname Barr mean?

The surname Barr has multiple origins. In English and Scottish, it is generally believed to be of topographical origin, referring to someone who lived by or in a bar, gate or barrier. The term could also describe a barrier on a river, or even an old term for a hill, thus referring to a person living near such a geographical feature. Another interpretation from the Scottish Gaelic "bàrr" refers to the top or summit of a hill.

In a German or Ashkenazi Jewish context, the name Barr is derived from the personal name Baruch meaning "blessed." It is also found in Northern Ireland, possibly derived from the English or Scottish meanings.

Therefore, the meaning of the last name 'Barr' could vary based on the cultural and geographical context of the one bearing the name.

Barr: Where does the name Barr come from?

The surname Barr has multiple origins. It could be of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from Gaelic ‘barr’ which means ‘height’ or ‘hill’, denoting someone who lived at the top of a hill. It may also be of English origin, where it was a locational name for someone who lived by a gate or barrier. In the Norman-French context, it was a habitational name from any of several places in northeastern France called Barr, meaning ‘barrier’.

Today, this surname is common in the United States, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Census records also indicate significant populations with the Barr surname in England, Australia, Canada, and South Africa. The United States has the highest number of individuals with the Barr surname, with a strong concentration in Pennsylvania. Despite its varied origins and worldwide distribution, the Barr surname is relatively uncommon, not ranking in the top 100 most common surnames in any of these countries.

Variations of the surname Barr

The surname Barr has several variations and similar surnames that may correspond to the same familial lineage. The reputation of the surname is spread throughout Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England. Some of these variants have been influenced by geographical locations, historical events, and linguistic changes over time.

Spelling variants of Barr include Bar, Barre, Bare, Baar, Barrs, Barrt, Barra, Barré and Bahr. Phonetic variations due to dialectal differences can be responsible for such spelling deviations.

As a surname, it also forms part of many compound surnames, including variants like Barr-Smith, Barr-Taylor, Barr-Kerr, just to name a few.

Additionally, given the linguistic diversity of Europe, surnames similar to Barr could be found in different languages altogether, such as the German surname Bauer or the Dutch surname Baar.

Different families with the surname Barr may not necessarily share the same genetic lineage. The surname could have sprung up independently in different locations, given its links to common words like "bar" - a term defining some sort of boundary or barrier in multiple languages. Therefore, any research on family history based on the surname needs to take these factors into account.

Famous people with the name Barr

• Roseanne Barr: An American actress, comedian, writer, and television producer, best known for her role in the sitcom "Roseanne."
• Bob Barr: A former U.S. Congressman from Georgia and Libertarian Party nominee for President.
• William Barr: An American lawyer and government official who served as the 85th United States Attorney General.
• Amelia Barr: A British novelist who migrated to the U.S. and wrote a number of bestsellers.
• Candy Barr: A famous American stripper, burlesque dancer, and actress.
• Patrick Barr: A British film and television actor known for his supporting role in many British films and TV series.
• Barron Barr: An American professional basketball player.
• Julia Barr: A two-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning American actress, famous for her work in soap operas.
• Mary Barr: An American writer, especially known for her work on the civil rights movement.
• Dave Barr: A professional golfer from Canada.
• Joel Barr: An American electrical engineer who was also a Soviet spy.
• Marilyn Suzanne Miller (nee Barr): An American television writer and producer: one of the original writers for Saturday Night Live.
• Matthew Barr: An American actor, notable for his roles in television series such as "Hatfields & McCoys" and "Valor".

Other surnames

BarBärBarabanBarabanovBarabanowBaradBaragaBaragerBarahnBarainskyBarajasBarakatBaraketBarakettBarakzaiBaranBaranauskasBaraneckBaranekBaraniakBaraniokBarankeBarankewitzBarankiewiczBarannBarannekBaranovskaBaranovskiBaranovskij