Surname Barbary - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Barbary: What does the surname Barbary mean?
The surname Barbary is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic term "O'Bearbhaigh." Historically, this name has been anglicized to Barvey, Barby, Barbee, and other similar variations. The word "bearbhaigh" translates to "sharp" or "pointed," indicating that the family may have been associated with traits such as sharp-wittedness or fierceness. It's also possible that this term was used metaphorically to refer to a significant physical landmark, like a sharp peak or edge, suggesting that the name-bearers originally lived near such a place. Like most surnames, its exact meaning can vary based on historical contexts and family histories. In the past, Barbary was also associated with the Barbary Coast of North Africa, named after the Berber people living there, but there's no verified connection between this usage and the Irish surname.
Order DNA origin analysisBarbary: Where does the name Barbary come from?
The surname Barbary originated from the ancient region of the Barbary Coast in North Africa. This region stretched across the modern-day countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. The name is derived from the Berber people, the indigenous inhabitants of North Africa, who lived along the Barbary Coast.
Barbary was originally used to refer to a person from the Barbary Coast or someone who had trade or other connections with the region. Like many surnames, Barbary was also likely used as a nickname or occupation-based surname in some cases.
Despite its North African origins, the surname Barbary is not particularly common in its region of origin today. This could be due to the impact of Arabic and Islamic influence in North Africa, which has resulted in predominantly Arabic surnames.
Today, Barbary is more prevalent in English-speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Even so, it remains a relatively rare surname worldwide. People with the surname Barbary can be found in various professions and walks of life, but there isn't a specific region where it's overly common.
Variations of the surname Barbary
The surname Barbary is derived from various origins, including English, Welsh, German, and Scottish origins. It could have been a nickname for a stranger or newcomer in the Middle Ages, derived from the term "barbarian". Variations of this surname include: Barbara, Barbar, Barbaro, Barbarino, Barbari, Barbarisi, La Barbara, Della Barbara, Barbarini, Barbarella, Barbarotto, Barbarossa, Barbarouch, Barbier, and Barbe.
In English, it could also have been a nickname for a person with a beard, derived from the Middle English term "barbe". Variations of this English surname include: Barb, Barbe, Barber, Barbers, Barbara, Barbar, Barbari, and Barbor.
In Welsh, the surname Barbary could have been derived from the personal name "Barbara", and variations include: Barbwr, Barbor, and Barbery.
In German, the surname could have been a locational name derived from various places named Barby, and hence, variations include: Barbe, Barbie, Barby, Barber, and Barbar.
Ultimately, these variations will depend on the cultural location and the interpretation of the original surname. Therefore, the spelling, pronunciation, and interpretation of the surname Barbary may differ across different cultures and languages.
Famous people with the name Barbary
- Hosaam Barbary: Egyptian actor and film director
- Neal Barbary: Canadian actor
- Yehia El Barbary: Egyptian public official, professor, and consultant
- Julio Barbary: Venezuelan musician
- Claudia Barbary: Venezuelan television presenter and show host
- Ahmed Barbary: Egyptian television actor
- Imane El Barbary: Dutch-Egyptian actress
- Nadia El Barbary: Egyptian actress
- Éric Barbary: French nudist author and philosopher
- Cemile Barbary: Australian journalist, author, videographer, sports consultant, and cricket player