Surname Debar - Meaning and Origin
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Debar: What does the surname Debar mean?
The last name Debar is of French origin, derived from a Norman word meaning “bar” or “closure”. This indicates that the original holders of the name were likely most likely involved in some kind of door-keeper or related administrative position in the Middle Ages.
In modern times, the name Debar typically refers to people who live in, or have ancestry from, French-speaking areas such as northern France, parts of Belgium, and Canada (especially the province of Quebec). In these areas, it is a fairly popular surname, though its numbers have dropped off significantly in some cases, suggesting some of its bearers have moved away.
The English equivalent of the name Debar is typically Davidson, although this spelling is sometimes used in Canada as well. Those bearing the Debar name may also show an affinity for fishing and sailing, befitting the country’s coastal areas and harbors.
The Debar name is also connected to the cottage industry of the sea that once flourished it the areas it originated in, such as the cod fishery and coastal trade. Those who bore it in the past likely earned their living through some combination of door-keeping, sailing and fishing, in addition to other professions in shallow-water navigation.
In the present day, those with the surname Debar - wherever they may live - can be proud to carry such a long-established name with a noble history, whose original bearers helped make a living from the sea.
Order DNA origin analysisDebar: Where does the name Debar come from?
The last name Debar is most commonly found in France, where it has roots that date back to medieval times. It is believed to have originated from the town of Debar in what is present-day Albania. In France, the name is quite rare but there is a relatively large presence of people with the surname in the east, particularly in the areas of Lorraine, Puy-de-Dôme, and Moselle departments.
The Debar surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Lithuania and Germany, as well as in the United States. In the United States, families with the Debar surname are primarily concentrated in the states of California, Texas, and Florida, with smaller numbers in Massachusetts, Nevada, and Louisiana.
There is also a presence of the Debar surname in the Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia. In Australia, the surname is especially common in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland regions of the country.
Overall, the Debar surname is not widely distributed in any single country, but is spread among those in Europe and around the world with migratory roots.
Variations of the surname Debar
The surname Debar is derived from the French word "Debarre" which referred to someone who lived in a valley or passageway. It is a topographical surname with multiple spellings and variants, including Debarre, Debare, Debarr, Debbar, Debbarr, Debarr.
Debar is also related to the surnames Derbarre, Derbarr, Derbarras, Derbarre. These names are derived from the French term "de baer" which translates to 'of the barrier'. This referred to someone who lived near a wall, border or fortified settlement. A variant of Derbarre is Debarmeau which originates from the French "débarme" which means 'barrier'.
The surnames Debar, Debarr, Debarre, Derbarre, Derbarr and Derbarras are common throughout France and other French-speaking countries such as Switzerland, Belgium, and Canada. The French-Canadian spelling of these names is typically 'Debar'.
In the United States, the surname variants are more common in the form of Debar, Debarr, Derbarre, and Derbarr. Notable people with the surname Debar include Marylen Debarr, a Canadian-born American actress, and Alphonse Debar, a French painter.
Debar is a very old surname, with a long history in France and the western world. The numerous variants of the name are testament to the family's presence in history, and the strength of its ancestral links.
Famous people with the name Debar
- Walter Debar: American actor
- John DeBar: American music producer and composer
- Adrian Debar: Spanish actor
- Charles Debar: French painter
- Marion DeBar: Swiss artist
- Christian DeBar: French caricaturist
- Salomon DeBar: Dutch mayor
- Charles DeBar: American Major General
- Mary DeBar: American activist
- Olivier DeBar: French politician
- Pierre DeBar: French sculptor
- Edward DeBar: American actor
- Jean-Michel DeBar: French singer, songwriter and composer
- Raul DeBar: Spanish playwright and poet
- Constantin DeBar: Romanian politician and newspaper editor