Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • All Collections
      • Census & Voter Lists
      • Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Military
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2006-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Barr

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      Barrier, Big Hill

      Variations

      Barry, Barras, Barrie
      The name Barr derives its origins from the English language, specifically from the Old English word brr, which referred to a barrier or a big hill. The name Barr is therefore associated with geographical features in English-speaking regions. In history, Barr might have been used to describe individuals who lived near a significant barrier, such as a physical barrier like a fence or a metaphorical barrier like a boundary or a fortification. Similarly, the name may have been given to those who resided near or on a substantial hill.

      Throughout the centuries, the name Barr has been adopted and adapted by various families, leading to its modern-day usage. Today, individuals bearing the name Barr can be found in various English-speaking countries around the world, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. While it is challenging to trace the specific historical context or notable figures associated with the name, Barr remains a relatively common name in contemporary society. The name's usage is not limited to any particular profession, social class, or demographic, making it a versatile and enduring name seen in diverse communities worldwide.

      Based on our records...

      Turner

      Turner

      This is the most common surname associated with Barr.
      Janet

      Janet

      This is the most common name of those married to a Barr.
      Robert

      Robert

      This is the most common name for a child of a Barr.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1848 is when there were the most people born with the first name Barr.

      Explore the origins of another name.